It's Never Too Late
 

It's Never Too Late

Today's Three-minute Bible Study
Print, Study and Apply

Title: It's Never Too Late ------------------------------ Date: 1/07/2001
Keywords:    "forgiveness" "Manasseh""repentance"
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Passages:

2 Kings 21:1-2*

1. Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem; and his mother's name was Hephzibah.

2. And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, according to the abominations of the nations whom the LORD dispossessed before the sons of Israel….

2 Chronicles 33:10-13*

10. And the LORD spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention.

11. Therefore the LORD brought the commanders of the army of the king of Assyria against them, and they captured Manasseh with hooks, bound him with bronze chains, and took him to Babylon.

12. And when he was in distress, he entreated the LORD his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers.

13. When he prayed to Him, He was moved by his entreaty and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD was God.

Questions

Just like yesterday's eXXit study, the story of Manasseh takes up a good bit of space in the books of 2 Kings (21) and 2 Chronicles (33). You will probably want to read the entire chapters to get a good sense of what the man was like.

1. Manasseh's life is summarized in 2 Kings 21:2. What kind of a man was he?

 

2. What did God do to get Manasseh's attention? (see 2 Chronicles 33:11)

 

3. What did Manasseh do in his distress? (see 2 Chronicles 33:12)

 

4. What did God do in response? (see 2 Chronicles 33:13)

 

Practical help

A careful study of Manasseh's life will show that he reigned as King for 55 years in Jerusalem. During most of those years he practiced witchcraft and sorcery, sacrificed children to the furnace, committed sexual immorality and worshipped false gods. He then taught all of Israel to do the same things!

Yet notice that when God brought him low and he turned to God in repentance and humility, God gladly forgave him, returned him to Jerusalem, restored him to the throne and gave him another chance to serve Him.

Take heart from the story of Manasseh! If you have blown it by involving yourself with Internet pornography - for the first time or for the thousandth time - know this: If God is willing to forgive and restore a repentant Manasseh, He is willing to forgive and restore you, too.

Tell God how sorry you are. Thank Him for His forgiveness. Turn away from porn and don't look back.

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*"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission."