Day 113 – True Repentance = Transformation!
Today’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 32 – 34
2 Chronicles 33:12-14 “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. Afterward he built an outer wall for the city of David west of Gihon, in the valley, and for the entrance into the Fish Gate, and carried it around Ophel, and raised it to a very great height. He also put commanders of the army in all the fortified cities in Judah.”
Think about the butterfly….when the worm goes into the cocoon he doesn’t come out the same….he’s changed. Mannaseh was like the worm, crowned king at 12, and started following evil ways immediately. But look at his age, 12, the ripe age of Puberty, perfect for questioning everything around and making decisions for ourselves. Mannaseh’s dad had passed away and he began to test the limits that were laid out before him.
All I can do is think of middle school students. They try things and see how far they can go, and then when things don’t work out their way they pitch middle school fits. They completely breakdown dramatically.
During Mannaseh’s reign of evil, God began to work out in him a new heart of forgiveness. From this forgiveness came true repentance: forgiveness for sins we commit, turning from the sin, and walking in the ways of the Lord.
Many ask for forgiveness but never walk towards repentance. There’s no change in their life, no caterpillar to butterfly affect. Just good ole boy stubbornness.
Walking in repentance sets us free. It allows us to find healing by helping others.
We are a conduit of God’s grace. We should not wait for repentance, but instead, ask forgiveness, walk in repentance and find freedom in Jesus.
Running 2 Fly 