I can’t believe how much patience God has with his people. Reading through Chronicles is frustrating; everyone seems to make the same mistakes. But this is just a small glimpse of the ways we betray and fail God. And then you read a story like Manasseh (33:1-17), revealing how much mercy and love He has for us in our repentance.

Reading about Manasseh’s behavior made my stomach turn! I can hardly believe God didn’t just strike him down. Instead, he sent in people to punish him.

“But while in deep distress, Manasseh sought the Lord his God and sincerely humbled himself before the God of his ancestors. And when he prayed, the Lord listened to him and was moved by his request. So the Lord brought Manasseh back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh finally realized that the Lord alone is God!” 33:12-13

Manasseh’s story is a very extreme example of how God’s discipline in our life can be an example of his mercy. Manasseh was evil and deserved to die (child sacrifices?!). Instead, God dragged him out of the circumstances and gave him the opportunity to redirect his heart.

Take a minute and try to recognize a time in your life when God has shown you mercy in your sin and rebellion and disciplined you instead of giving up on you. 

Thank you, Good Father, for your perfect discernment and love for us.

-Carly