2.Chronicles 33:12-13 Now when he was in affliction, he implored the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, 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.

This scripture in the Bible is referring to king Manasseh, the son of Hezekiah, who in 690 B.C. became king of Judah at the age of 12. We find ourselves way back in the past, however, we can still learn a lot from it, especially where the Word of God is concerned. Manasseh reigned for 55 years, and for the most time of his reign, he was a very wicked king. He defiled the temple with idolatry, he practiced sorcery, and he shed a lot of innocent blood. As a result of his bad example and ungodly influence, the people fell away from God. He committed more evil deeds than all the other kings before him and after him. He ignored the prophets who God sent to him to warn him and the people. The king of Assyria took him as a captive and brought him to Babylon. In his situation of need, he sought God and humbled himself before Him. God heard him and brought him back again to Jerusalem. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God.

Thereafter, Manasseh sought to bring everything back into order again, he truly repented from his whole heart. 2. Chronicles 33:15-16 He took away the foreign gods and the idol from the house of the LORD, and all the altars that he had built in the mount of the house of the LORD and in Jerusalem; and he cast them out of the city. He also repaired the altar of the LORD, sacrificed peace offerings and thank offerings on it, and commanded Judah to serve the LORD God of Israel. However, he was unable to undo all the damage which he had wrought in Judah, and his son Amon learnt from his bad example and never turned his life over to God. Our life always has an influence upon others, and what we do today has an effect on what happens tomorrow and it often cannot be reversed.

Manasseh did evil things and lived in an evil way because he did not know God. It is the same today, many people live a sinful life because they do not know God. They are hurting themselves and others as a consequence. Usually, the more influence and power an evil person has, the greater the damage will be. In the case of Manasseh, God's unending grace is particularly evident. Despite his terrible sins, God forgave him, restored his kingdom again and gave Manasseh another chance to do better next time. Even in our day and age, God is willing to forgive sins and to manifest Himself, when a person repents with their whole heart and humbles themselves before Him. If an individual hears the gospel, shows remorse for his sins and gets baptized in the name of Jesus, then all his sins will be washed away in the blood of Jesus Christ. Do not hesitate if God is calling you to be converted to Him, for it is possible that you might miss the opportunity of receiving God's grace. The best time to be converted is during the time of your youth. Ecclesiates 12:1 Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, Before the difficult days come, And the years draw near when you say, "I have no pleasure in them".

Know that the LORD is God and this LORD is Jesus! God bless you. ra

Additional scripture verses to study: 2.Chronicles 33; 2 Kings 21; 2. Kings 23:26; Psalm 145:18; Jeremiah 15:1:4; 29:12-14; Romans 10:12