July 29 - 2 Kings 21:1-9 | 2 Chronicles 33:1-9 | 2 Kings 21:10-17 | 2 Chronicles 33:10-19 | 2 Kings 21:18 | 2 Chronicles 33:20 | 2 Kings 21:19-26 | 2 Chronicles 33:21-25 | 2 Kings 22:1-2 | 2 Chronicles 34:1-7 | Jeremiah 1:1-2:22

Good morning everyone,

Goodness, when looking at the top of the page, I hope you were not dissuaded by how long the list of today’s scripture reading appears. It was pretty simple reading, actually.

We began with Manasseh who took the throne at the age of twelve when his dad Hezekiah died, and this kid was a way wicked boy. Interesting note, just a little “did you know?”, though Manasseh was in the top two of wicked kings, jockeying for number one position with Ahab, his rein of fifty-five years is the longest rein of any of the kings. Crazy, right? We’re told he used the biggest part of his rule rebuilding the alters his dad had torn down. He erected an Asherah pole, worshipped the god Molek sacrificing his own son in the fire, practiced divination, sought omens, and consulted mediums, that he did much evil in the eyes of the Lord, arousing his anger. This guy had real issues and God was not pleased that Manasseh has led His people astray, so God used Assyria to bring them to their senses. Manasseh was bound in shackles and led away by a fish hook put through his nose. OUCH!! Right? But check this out, in Manasseh’s broken state he sought the Lord, he humbled himself and prayed to God. We’re told the Lord was moved by Manasseh’s submissive plea and reestablished him in his kingdom where Manasseh set to the task of,  once more, “cleaning up” the city ridding it of all idol related trash, then he restored the altar of the Lord and sacrificed fellowship offerings and thank offerings on it, and told Judah to serve the Lord, the God of Israel. (2 Chronicles 33:16).

Manasseh would die in good standing with the Lord and his, ever so wicked son, Amon would take the throne at the age of twenty-two and though he reined for just two years he did a whole lot of damage, not the least of which was building altars to all the starry hosts in the two courts of the temple. He must have been a really awful person as we’re told his officials conspired against him and assassinated him in his palace. Bummer! The super good news is his son Josiah, age eight, became king and this guy was one of the great kings. He would lead the country in another revival and they would see a time of peace and prosperity. 

Two things, I think, stand out in today’s reading is: 

1. Manasseh, though he was a wicked, evil, miserable man for most of his life, he finally had a softening of the heart and chose God. I could never be and you are not as wicked as Manasseh, as a matter-of-fact, I have not ever met anyone as wicked as we’re told Manasseh was and what did we read?? God heard him! God felt for him, and if God would hear Manasseh, God will hear us too! He loves us! Will we ever really get that??? We must just throw all of our experience, logic and the world’s ways out the window, run on faith and believe with all we are that God loves us and wants us in His kingdom. When we let Him into our hearts our life changes to something so incredibly beautiful. I love Him! Love, love, love Him!
2. Josiah, was a good kid then man. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord despite how wicked his dad and grandfather had been. We do not have to be a product of our  parents. We can choose to break away from bad lifestyles, bad habits, bad tempers, bad conduct, bad anything that was exhibited to us while we were growing up. Friends, the enemy would have you believe that is your lot in life, but it is not. Granted, it is not always easy to break the mold but it is more than possible.  2Corinthians 5:17 says, and you’ve heard it before, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here.” Do you hear that?New creation, the old me the old you is no more. Because why??? Philippians 4:13, “ We can do all this through him who gives us strength.” Right on!?

I think it’s important we remember that the Bible wasn’t written “to us” but “for us.” Psalm 36:5-6 says, “Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.  Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep. O Lord, you preserve both man and beast.” God is so real, and really wants us to succeed in Him. He totally loves you “to the moon and back” and so much more. Amen?

Have a good day and to God be the glory!

God bless you all …..