2nd Chronicles 33:12-13. “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.”
REBELLION/REPENTANCE. It has often happened around the age of twelve – Resistance against parental guidance causes righteousness to be abandoned. The things that were taught him are put on the shelf – And a young person takes a course that ultimately condemns him. It seems tragic how far one will go – Often much farther than those who never learned better. The wickedness and evil they choose to do – Winds around them and binds them with cords like a fetter.
Who would have thought they would go so far – Idol worship and even burning their own children. The name of the Lord and family honor they mar – Every evil practice that arises seems to attract them. Can they not see what they have done? Have they gone beyond the extent of God’s grace? Doesn’t it bother them when they’re alone? What hope have they got left without true faith?
But the God of all grace has a plan – He arranges for them to be captives in a far country. With suffering and pain, He brings a man – To such a pass that he is desperate and even hungry. Then in humility and repentant prayer –
He bows and seeks earnestly the God of his father. In that distant place he learns God is there – With the purpose of bringing change to free him from sin’s fetter.
He is able to start over – doing what is right – For God often is the God of a “second chance.” Instead of dark deeds he is shedding some light – His commitment to God can be seen at a glance. However, he has left behind a residue – Others who had followed him are doing right in wrong places. God has forgiven him it is true – But others were led wrong, a serious result from when he broke the traces.
“O Lord God, how sad it is to see the strong years of young lives wasted in the pursuit of sin. How encouraging it is to see them brought to repentance by the hand of grace. Restore them I pray to usefulness for Thee. Help me to show interest in the young in early years. Give them a willingness to heed Thy Word and Thy ways. Keep them from following the ways of the sinful world. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”