SIN AND SINNING
2 Chronicles 33

God is awesomely merciful. There are no words that are great enough to describe the grace of His forgiveness. One thing that is clear about God, no matter how terrible the sin is, as long as there is life, asking for forgiveness and turning away from sin to God is all that brings a new beginning. Manasseh, becoming king of Judah at age twelve, committed all the un-committable sins under heaven that was enough for God to terminate him before any chance for repentance. Today is the day for repentance because tomorrow might not be there, and you do not want to die a sinner. 2 Chronicles 33:2-6, “But he did evil in the sight of the LORD, according to the abominations of the nations whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel. 3 For he rebuilt the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down; he raised up altars for the Baals, and made wooden images; and he worshiped all the host of heaven and served them. 4 He also built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD had said, “In Jerusalem shall My name be forever.” 5 And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD. 6 Also he caused his sons to pass through the fire in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom; he practiced soothsaying, used witchcraft and sorcery, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke Him to anger.” It is hard to remember what else Manasseh did not commit in the name of sin and sinning to God. Manasseh was living and ruling the land in sin sinning was the order of his throne and he went as far back as he could to pollute with sin, all that was on the ground before he became king. It is recorded that the Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they did not listen. Are you on the path of sin? He is speaking to you now saying: to obey is better than what the consequence will bring forth. In the case of Manasseh, “Therefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the army of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh with hooks, bound him with bronze fetters, and carried him off to Babylon. 12 Now when he was in affliction, he implored the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, 13 and prayed to Him; and He received his entreaty, heard his supplication, and brought him back to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD was God.” (2 Chronicles 33:11-13) There was no need for Manasseh to going through what he went through; you do not want to live through the consequences of your sin. He will forgive you if you will stop today and turn to Him.