Hezekiah was a good king, but his son Manasseh was a bad king, and undid every good thing his father had done for the kingdom of God in Judah. After he was taken captive in Babylon, he prayed and God heard his voice, and forgave him. Then he began to try and turn things back around in his kingdom. This story made me think that the chronicles of the kings, might be a picture of the different types of people who come to know Jesus. Some start out good, then go bad, only to return to being good. Then there are those who were never good to begin with, but repent before it’s too late, like Manasseh. David was mostly good, but made a few mistakes. Others try to gain power without submitting to God. Each king has a story, and if we look closely, we may be able to see patterns that mimic our own life as either believers, or non-believers. The truth is, each of us has a story, a testimony that needs to be heard, because people are struggling out there, and need to know there is hope and forgiveness for them. Don’t hide your mistakes, flaunt them! They are now jewels in your crown because you overcame them. Other people need to hear your story so they too can overcome their past, and come to the realization that Jesus is the only way to redemption.
He prayed to him, and God was moved by his entreaty and heard his plea and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD was God. 2 Chronicles 33:13
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