2 Chronicles 33:10-13 – “The Lord confronted Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention. 11 So the Lord brought against them the commanders of the army of the king of Assyria. They seized Manasseh, put hooks in his nose, bound him with bronze chains, and carried him away to Babylon. 12 In his pain Manasseh asked the Lord his God for mercy and truly humbled himself before the God of his ancestors. 13 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 Manasseh realized that the Lord is the true God.”
As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, one key reality gripped my consciousness – Longsuffering! God’s incredible patience and mercy! I had to stop and ask, “Why?” “How can that be?” It is so far out of the realm of human possibility (in our strength) that it is inconceivable. Why, Lord, Why?
In 2 Chronicles 33, we have the account of King Manasseh. He was an incredibly evil and anti-God King for most of his life. He did horrible things! In (v 10), God confronted him and the people, and they ignored God.
So, God sent the Assyrian Army to overcome and capture them. Manasseh was carried away to Babylon in chains. The possible torture is not listed, but (v 12) suggests its existence. “In his PAIN Manasseh asked the LORD for mercy AND truly humbled himself before the God of his ancestors,” God responded in Mercy! That is Amazing Grace!
Then we read, “Then Manasseh realized that the LORD is the True God.” God’s Mercy opened his eyes! This account should shatter all arguments that someone can go too far to be forgiven! If you are still breathing and have any hint of conscience, there is Hope!
Peter asked for a loophole in forgiveness toward others, and Jesus closed that door! Forgiveness is infinite. How often? As often as it is needed. How often does God forgive us? How often do we desire God to forgive us?
As revealed in Matthew 18:32-33, our forgiveness to others (no exceptions) is just as God forgives us! It must be from the Heart. That is a whole other discussion. From the heart reveals the true condition of the heart and who controls the heart.
Grace is a gift, not a recompense for acts. The question in Matthew 19:16 is, “How can I earn Salvation?” It is a question multitudes ask in action if not words. The man said, “I’ve done these all my life wholeheartedly.” That was a lie. It is humanly impossible to do some of them from the heart, like loving my neighbor as myself. Flesh can’t do that; only God’s Spirit can.
Who owns our hearts? Our words, attitudes, thoughts, and deeds are revealing. When Jesus has the whole heart, those things flow naturally, and we can and do demonstrate long-suffering, forgiveness from the heart, and manifest Agape! It’s the Heart!
LORD, help us to embrace and appreciate your long-suffering!
