Prayer: Father, Your servant is ready to listen and to learn from the accounts of scripture. Every king, every person, had their successes and failures. May I learn from them and avoid the pitfalls and failures they experienced. Amen
Reading: 2 Chronicles 33 key: vs. 7-10 “Then he placed the carved image of the idol that he had made in the House of God—of which God had said to David and to his son Solomon, “In this House and in Jerusalem that I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will put My Name forever. I will never again remove the foot of Israel from the land which I have appointed for their fathers, if only they will observe to do all that I have commanded them—all the Torah, the statutes, and the ordinances delivered by the hand of Moses.” But Manasseh led Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem astray, so that they did more evil than the nations whom Adonai destroyed before Bnei-Yisrael. Adonai spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention.” TLV
Attention: I have read stories of men who left a legacy of pastors in the generations following their heritage. I have read stories of a legacy of crime and generations of men who spent their lives incarcerated. We all have a choice. In today’s chapter reading, Manasseh left the example of his father Hezekiah and forsook Adonai. He knew the chronicles of David, they were taught to all Hebrew children. Yet he chose to lead the nation of “Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem” to do “more evil than the nations whom Adonai destroyed before Bnei-Yisrael.”
We are not told why he chose to go his own way. We are told that Adonai “spoke to Manasseh and his people,” but they “paid no attention.” Have you given God a deaf ear? Are you doing your own thing and more? Are you ignoring your upbringing? Are you running away from God?
I am sad to admit that I have experienced years where I did not listen to God, and it has cost me dearly. However, I will say that God is merciful and will forgive you if you will repent and turn to Him. Manasseh had the opportunity to turn from evil and wickedness, and repent.
I hope you will reach the end of yourself and return or turn to God. Most of us have experienced being a prodigal and coming to our senses and returning home to God.
Action: I choose to repent and turn or return to God.
Yield: I choose to submit to the sovereignty of God.
Engage: I choose to engage with the Holy Spirit’s help in returning to God.
Relationship: I choose to live in holy, intimate, obedient relationship with Adonai.
Prayer: Father, I pray that all prodigals will return to You with a repentant heart. Amen.
Memory Verse: Luke 15:18-21 “I’ll get up and go to my father, and I’ll say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your presence. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired workers. “And he got up and went to his own father. But while he was still far away, his father saw him and felt compassion. He ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your presence. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
Music Video: Cody Carnes—Firm Foundation
https://youtu.be/x9ndiD0_qNk?si=iuw5jJveZu8akTZ_
Remember, “Abide in Yeshua, today!”