37 lines
4.4 KiB
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37 lines
4.4 KiB
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<title>Blue Letter Bible: Day By Day By Grace — Bob Hoekstra</title>
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Day By Day By Grace
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Bob Hoekstra
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September 26
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<h1>Manasseh Humbling Himself before the Lord</h1>
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<div class="block"><i>Now when he was in <b>affliction</b>, he <b>implored</b> the <b>LORD</b> his God, and <b>humbled himself greatly</b> before the God of his fathers, and prayed to Him; and <b>He received</b> his entreaty, heard his supplication, and <b>brought him</b> back to <b>Jerusalem</b> into his kingdom. <b>Then</b> Manasseh <b>knew</b> that the <b>LORD</b> was <b>God</b>.</i> (<a onClick="return mV('2Ch', 33, '12-13');">2 Chronicles 33:12-13</a>)</div>
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<p>Manasseh's prideful rebellion against the Lord was astoundingly extensive. He was deeply engaged in abominable practices. He <i>"caused his sons to <b>pass through the fire</b> in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom; he practiced <b>soothsaying</b>, used <b>witchcraft</b> and <b>sorcery</b>, and consulted <b>mediums</b> and <b>spiritists</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('2Ch', 33, '6-6');">2 Chronicles 33:6</a>). Nevertheless, when he <b>humbled himself before the Lord</b>, God poured out grace upon him.</p>
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<p>When people <b>humble themselves</b> before God, phenomenal spiritual recovery can be experienced. The abominations Manasseh perpetrated would seem to leave no path of restoration for him. Yet, the Scriptures abound with declarations and testimonies of God's gracious response to those who humbly cry out to Him. The Lord invites such entreaties in the midst of great need. <i>"<b>Call</b> upon <b>Me</b> in the <b>day</b> of <b>trouble</b>; I <b>will deliver</b> you, and you shall glorify Me"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Psa', 50, '15-15');">Psalm 50:15</a>). Even when the trouble would be <b>captivity</b> that resulted from <b>rebellion</b>, the Lord promised to hear and to deliver. <i>"Then you will <b>call</b> upon <b>Me</b> and go and <b>pray</b> to <b>Me</b>, and I <b>will listen</b> to you. And you will <b>seek Me</b> and <b>find Me</b>, when you <b>search</b> for <b>Me</b> with <b>all</b> your <b>heart</b>. I <b>will</b> be <b>found</b> by you, says the LORD, and I will <b>bring</b> you <b>back</b> from your <b>captivity</b>; I will <b>gather</b> you from all the nations and from all the places where I have <b>driven</b> you, says the LORD, and I will <b>bring</b> you to the <b>place</b> from which I <b>cause</b> you to be <b>carried</b> away <b>captive</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Jer', 29, '12-14');">Jeremiah 29:12-14</a>).</p>
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<p>This is the gracious heart of our God toward genuine <b>humility</b>. No wonder that the Lord would pour out grace even upon a prideful rebel like Manasseh. <i>"Now when he was in <b>affliction</b>, he <b>implored</b> the <b>LORD</b> his God, and <b>humbled himself greatly</b> before the God of his fathers, and prayed to Him; and <b>He received</b> his entreaty, heard his supplication, and <b>brought him</b> back to <b>Jerusalem</b> into his kingdom."</i> This was no casual entreaty. In the midst of his shameful agonies, he was overwhelmed with humility. He begged the Lord to rescue him. The Lord restored him. The wonderful result of this gracious work of God was the spiritual reality it planted in the heart of this former rebel. <i>"<b>Then</b> Manasseh <b>knew</b> that the <b>LORD</b> was <b>God</b>."</i></p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">O gracious Lord, I am so encouraged to see Your heart toward true humility. Too often, I have thought that I was beyond Your work of recovery in my life. Lord, there are areas in my life that need Your restoring touch. I humble myself before You now, entreating You to pour out Your grace in new measure and new power, Amen.</div>
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