God's Glory Church

“And when he was oppressed, he begged the face of the Lord, his God, and humbled himself.” — 2 Chronicles 33:12

A letter from an inmate named Jason came as a surprise to my wife and me. We raise puppies, make them service dogs for people with disabilities. One of these puppies went on to the next stage of training and was given to prisoners who were specially trained to train dogs. In the letter, Jason regretted his past and then remembered our former pet: “Snickers is the seventeenth dog I’ve trained and he’s the best. When I see the way he looks at me, I feel like I’m finally doing something right.”

Jason is not the only person who regrets the past. We are all familiar with remorse. And Manasseh, the king of Judah, felt them with special force. The Bible lists some of his crimes: building altars to pagan gods (2 Chron. 33:3), witchcraft, and sacrificing his children (v. 6). He and all his people led in the same sinful way (v. 9).

“And the Lord spoke to Manasseh and to his people, but they did not listen” (v. 10). In the end, God managed to get his attention. The Assyrians “bound [Manasseh] with copper shackles and took him to Babylon” (v. 11). There, the captive king begged the face of the Lord, his God, and humbled himself greatly (v. 12). God heard him and even returned him to the Jewish throne. Then Manasseh began to worship the true God (vv. 15-16).

Is something bothering you? It’s not too late. God hears humble prayers of repentance.

What do you regret? What can you do to correct mistakes and allow God to use you in His service?

Thank you, Father, that You are always ready to accept my sincere prayers.

Author: Tim Gustavson