2 Chronicles 33:10 – “The LORD confronted Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention.”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, I was reminded of our humanity.   We sometimes seek counsel and help from sources other than God.   We may even believe God is doing the alignment.   The result will be lack, delay, disappointment, disillusionment, and ultimately defeat.    During trials, we tend to look for solutions that make sense to us.   Sometimes, simple trust and obedience do not make sense to the human mind.

King Hezekiah’s son Manasseh became a kid king (12 years old).   He did evil in the sight of God, rebuilt the high places, set up altars to Baal, made Asherah poles, worshipped the stars, and even corrupted God’s temple with false altars. (We are God’s temple).

In 2 Chronicles 33:10, it is stated, “The LORD confronted Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention.”   How often do we ignore the confrontation of the Spirit because it doesn’t match what we want?   GOD sent the Assyrian King against them.

The picture of pain is incredible.   They put hooks on his nose, bound him in bronze chains, and deported him to Babylon.   In v. 12, we read, “In his pain, Manasseh asked the LORD his God for mercy AND truly humbled himself before the God of his ancestors.”   The key is that he genuinely humbled himself.

Victories do not guarantee ease, as King after King realized.   Winning a victory does not ensure, insulate, or isolate from attacks.   Repentance brings restoration.   God may and likely will open the doors of darkness to bring us to light.

In verse 13, we see a powerful revelation and reminder. “When he prayed to the LORD, the LORD responded to him and answered favorably his cry for mercy. The LORD brought him back to Jerusalem to his kingdom. Then (catch this), Manasseh realized that the Lord is the true God.

From then on, he acted faithfully.   Sometimes, God has to withdraw His protection to bring us to the truth.

The question in my heart is, “What is it that we are trusting for our fulfillment?”   If we tie God’s purposes and our assignments to anything but Him alone, we may be near a place of deception where we are creating idols of the heart and mind.   We may be subverting God’s plan.   He needs nothing to fulfill His purposes.   

If our hope is lodged in some event to come, we might want to ask, “AM I truly trusting God or that thing, person, or event?”   One leads to victory, the other to disappointment and defeat.

My heart is being challenged regarding having unrestricted confidence in Him. Only trust Him! Only Him!

May His blessings flood your life today!