AMAZING GRACE!

Many people believe it is too late to come to God (accepting Jesus as their Savior) because of the many sinful things they have done during their lives. Perhaps you know someone who believes this, or maybe this is your own understanding.

Please consider the story of Manasseh found in 2 Kings 21 and 2 Chronicles 33.

Manasseh was a king of Judah. His father was a righteous king, but Manasseh was the epitome of wickedness. He was evil. Here are few examples of his depravity.

He put an Asherah pole in God's temple. This had to with worshiping the goddess of fertility and included sex acts as part of the "worship" of this god. ( 2 Kings 21:7) This is happening in the temple of God!

He sacrificed his own children in the worship of heathen Gods. "He sacrificed his children in the fire." (2 Chronicles 33:6) He killed his own children - can you get any worse than this!

He was a mass murderer of the innocent. "Moreover, Manasseh also shed so much innocent blood that he filled Jerusalem from end to end" ( 2 Kings 21:16) He filled the city from end to end! Bible commentators believe he slaughtered the people that remained loyal to the true God of heaven.

Manasseh knew better. His father was a righteous king, and in 2 Chronicles 33:10 it says, "God spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention."

And now the good news for you and me! We find the end of the story beginning in 2 Chronicles 33:11. The Assyrians took Jerusalem and they capture Manasseh. They put a hook through his nose and took him to Babylon. Not a pleasant trip I imagine. The Bible say that "In his distress", Manasseh asks for forgiveness. God FORGIVES him! God FORGIVES him!

Whatever you have done -please consider Manasseh. If he can be forgiven, certainly you can be forgiven by our merciful God.