They Put A Ring Through His Nose, Bound Him In Bronze Chains, And Led Him Away To Babylon

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They Put A Ring
Through His Nose, Bound Him In Bronze Chains,
And Led Him Away To Babylon

Scripture

2 Chronicles 33

¹⁰ The Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they ignored all his warnings. ¹¹ So the Lord sent the commanders of the Assyrian armies, and they took Manasseh prisoner. They put a ring through his nose, bound him in bronze chains, and led him away to Babylon.
 
¹² But while in deep distress, Manasseh sought the Lord his God and sincerely humbled himself before the God of his ancestors.
 
¹³ And when he prayed, the Lord listened to him and was moved by his request. So the Lord brought Manasseh back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh finally realized that the Lord alone is God!

Observation

Evil King Manasseh came to the end of the rope. He finally hit rock bottom.

It took a ring in his nose, some heavy bronze chains, and probably some very bad physical abuse by his captors.

This guy was bad through and through. He was the worst of the worst.

Just read what he did to the people he was supposed to take care of.

But when this horrible, terrible guy hit rock bottom, while he was in deep distress something happened, he suddenly remembered the God of his father King Hezekiah and King Manasseh sought the Lord in brokenness and humility.

God heard his prayer and brought him back to Jerusalem and restored him to his kingdom – This is an amazing story of God’s Grace and Mercy!

I am praying for some people close to me. They need to hit rock bottom so that in their deep distress the only place that they have to look - is up! I hope it doesn’t take a ring in the nose and bronze chains but whatever it takes Lord, for them to look up and put their faith and trust in You.

Application

I don’t deserve God’s love, His mercy, or His grace either. I will pray and ask the Lord to do whatever it takes to cause those I love to look up and trust in Him. Whatever it takes Lord, whatever it takes!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, as I read the story about King Manasseh I realize that Your love for us is so big. King Manasseh was so bad, but You gave him the opportunity to repent and change his ways. I pray for those around me that need to turn from a life of selfish living and turn to You. I want them to experience life the way that You meant for them to experience it, a life full of purpose and meaning. All they experience now is a life full of drama and strife. Do whatever it takes Lord to get them to look up and call upon You. Do whatever it takes to change the direction of their lives. Nothing is too hard for You. 

Daily Bible Reading:  2 Kings 21; 2 Chronicles 33; John 4

Today’s "Life Journal" Daily Bible Reading can be found on Line. Click Here!