2 Kings 21; 2 Chronicles 33: Have you ever heard someone say, “Well they will just have to get to the bottom before they turn.” You may have even said it about someone you loved or cared about who just would not turn from their destructive ways. Manasseh was certainly like this. He was the king who was so bad he even burned his own children as sacrifices to gods. He desecrated the temple by putting altars to foreign gods in it. He created places to worship gods all around the city of Jerusalem. The end result was that Jerusalem fell and Manasseh was led away with a hook in his nose into captivity. He had hit the bottom! While in captivity he remembered the Lord and turned back to Him. In time Manasseh was returned to Jerusalem a very different man. He tried to correct much of what he had done by removing the altars to foreign gods. Though he turned back, there were scars to his disobedience not just on his own life, but on the city of Jerusalem.
You probably have someone in your life that is headed to the bottom. You have tried to encourage them and point them in the right direction but as of yet they are not turning. Be patient with them. It may take a while but as you pray for them and still love them they may hit that bottom level. When they do they will need someone who can help me turn around. Your prayers will be invaluable. They may also need someone to speak love and truth to them. The most important thing may be to love them beyond their scars. Bad choice bring about deep scars. Manasseh could not bring his children back to life. He had created much chaos and harm, but when he turned he needed much grace. You may know a few of those Much Grace Needed people as well. You may be one of those Much Grace Needed people. As we love people where they are still holding them accountable we may find they like Manasseh make a huge turn around. Praying for the many Manasseh like people in your life!