2 Chronicles 33:1-25
He prayed to him, and God was moved by his entreaty and heard his plea… (v. 13a)
Change is hard. We all make goals we don’t meet–exercise more, eat less, have a quite time, turn off the t.v. Sinful habits are especially hard to change: pornography, gossip, unforgiveness. Repentance is hard work. It means more than regret or embarrassment for our mistakes. Repentances means sorrow for sin, confession of sin, and turning from sin. Repentance means metanoia, the Greek word for change of mind or direction.
Manasseh was a bad king, probably the worst king Judah has ever had, at least the worst king who ruled long enough to do the most worst things. Most of Manesseh’s reign was positively wicked. But toward the end of his life, the Lord broke his pride. Manessah prayed to the Lord and the Lord heard his prayer. Manesseh was a changed man, who changed his actions and changed the kingdom.
Repentance is always an option. It’s never too late. Granted, Manasseh’s previous wickedness could not all be undone. He was still known as a bad king. But don’t miss the two miracles of this story. One, Manasseh changed after years of wickedness. Two, God forgave. Come to Jesus and keep coming back. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
