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Manasseh


2 Chron:33

Manasseh was a king who did many detestable things as the leader of Judah and made his nation to do as well. He ignored all the Lord's warnings. But when the Lord did justly to him, when He was taken by the Assyrian armies as a prisoner, while he was in deep distress, he sincerely humbled himself before God of his ancestors. And as he prayed; the Lord listened to his requests and brought him back to Jerusalem. And Manasseh finally realised that the Lord alone is God.

Let everyday be a turn around opportunity for us. Every distressing situation, a channel of repentance and humbling and coming back to God. A realization that Jehovah alone is God.
Once he was brought back; Manasseh
- Rebuilt the outer wall - for protection
- Removed the foreign gods and idols - purified
- Restored the altar of the Lord - sanctified.

He did everything possible to rechallenge the people of Judah. But they still sacrificed to the idols, which were nothing but the consequences of his own sin. The after effects of the detestable practises, shows how serious our sin is. Sin is nothing but rebellion against God - which is a serious offence. Pardon will bring reinstation, but the after effects needs to be faced - that is because He is a just God.
And the biggest consequence is the cross; which He Himself bore upon Himself.
How much more could He show He loves us?

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