From a Human Standpoint!

Over the years, I have encountered individuals who were convinced that their bad, evil past prevented them from ever receiving GOD’s forgiveness and acceptance. Some have shared their past experiences with me and definitely there were some that I considered horrible and beyond forgiveness as well, from a human standpoint. But, fortunately for humanity, GOD looks beyond a human standpoint. His exceedingly abundant love for humanity looks beyond the evil and sinfulness and sees the possibilities–what could be.

Consider King Manasseh for a moment. Manasseh was a ruthless ruler of the nation of Judah. From all accounts, he was the most evil king to ever rule over God’s chosen people. During his fifty-five year reign, he built altars to the foreign gods of the pagan nations around about. He worshipped the stars; he sacrificed his own children to pagan gods; he involved himself in sorcery, magic, mediums, and fortune-tellers. He even went so far as to place carved idols in God’s temple. His ruthlessness filled Israel with innocent blood from one end to the other. He even had the prophet Isaiah sawn in half for continually condemning his wickedness and attempting to point him back to GOD.

The Scripture tells us: “The Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they didn’t listen” (2 Chronicles 33:10 HCSB). GOD didn’t give up on Manasseh, even in the midst of his extreme wickedness. Apparently, his wickedness had also infected those around him. But, they wouldn’t listen. Maybe today you feel the LORD speaking in the midst of your evil ways. Are you listening? There is still time to respond to GOD’s call to repent and turn back. How will you respond? 

Manasseh responded by continuing in his evilness. So GOD “brought against them the military commanders of the king of Assyria. They captured Manasseh with hooks, bound him with bronze shackles, and took him to Babylon” (v. 11). GOD delivered judgment upon him through a foreign power. Manasseh’s wickedness had landed him in a terrible mess. He had a decision to make. The Scripture tells us: “When he was in distress, he sought the favor of the Lord his God and earnestly humbled himself before the God of his ancestors. He prayed to Him, so He heard his petition and granted his request, and brought him back to Jerusalem, to his kingdom. So Manasseh came to know that the Lord is God” (vv. 12-13).

Scripture reveals that GOD didn’t give up on him. When he turned back to GOD in complete repentance for his evil ways, GOD accepted him back and returned him to his position as king. Your past does not have to be your future. From a human standpoint, you may be considered beyond GOD’s grace. But, GOD is still in the business of forgiveness and He desires for you to turn back to Him, no matter how bad you have been. GOD desires to give you a future filled with His love and grace. How will you respond today?