215. The Easy Way, Or The Hard Way?

2 Chronicles 32-33

And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers,     And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God.   2 Chronicles 33:12-13

Manasseh was a wicked king and God had to bring Him to a very low place in order for him to acknowledge God. And even though he was wicked, God still forgave him when he besought and greatly humbled himself before God. And not only did God forgive him of his wickedness, He also was intreated of Manasseh and heard him when he prayed and brought him back to his kingdom! And then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God. If God is willing to offer forgiveness and restoration to someone who was very wicked and cared nothing for God, He is willing to do the same for you. You will fail, but according to Proverbs, you are just if you rise again after you fall. Whenever you sin, you have only to confess it and God will forgive you and restore the fellowship between you and God. Sometimes God has to break you in order to bring you to a place of humility. What will it take for you to know that the Lord is God? And what will it take for you to make Him Lord in your life? Will you humbly submit, or will you need to be broken? God is merciful, and forgiveness and restoration are always offered, even if you learn the hard way. But it would be much easier to submit right away and enjoy continued fellowship than to have endure affliction.

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