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[expand title=”Devotion Text”]At some time or another, most of us will experience times when we wander from the Lord. But all heaven rejoices when a wayward child comes back home. That’s what happened to King Manasseh.
2 Chronicles 33:12-13
And when he was in distress, he entreated the favor of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. He prayed to him, and God was moved by his entreaty and heard his plea and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God.
Manasseh was a king who “did evil in the eyes of the Lord” and dragged his country down the path away from God. But God got his attention by sending the king of Assyria to take him captive (more specifically, the Assyrian king “put a hook in [Manasseh’s] nose, bound him with bronze shackles and took him to Babylon” 2 Chronicles 33:11 NIV). In his distress, Manasseh humbled himself. God saw the sincerity of the king’s heart and gave him back his kingdom.
Maybe you are a bit like Manasseh. You have made some mistakes in your life and have the scars to prove it. But today is the day to humble yourself before God.
Today is the day to seek his forgiveness. Time to come back home. What are you waiting for?
Talking Points
- Ask God to forgive your wandering. Ask him to bring you back home.
- Talk to God about a wandering child. Ask God to work in their life and bring them back to a meaningful relationship with the living God.
Father, thank you for reminding us through the story of Manasseh that there is no sin that you cannot forgive. Prod the wanderer to come back home. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Today on The Journey Broadcast:
Hey Ron. My wife and I attended The Bible Chapel until we moved from the area about 2 years ago. I still listen to your daily devotionals and have noticed you frequently pray for children who have strayed from the Lord, and praying for their return. Thank you for that. I pray daily for my 3 adult children to return, but realize that I can only present my personal arguments to them. The outcome is in God’s hand. All I can do is pray. I’m not asking, about your children or those close to you, but but please know I pray for all children who stray (including yours, if indeed that is your situation). Thanks again for your prayers and may we all ask for “Priestly Blessings.”