By Pastor Josiah Kehinde
“Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem: But did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, like unto the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel. So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel.
And the LORD spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken. Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon. And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humble himself greatly before the God of his fathers. And prayed unto him: and he was entreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom.
Then Manasseh knew that the LORD was God. Now after this he built a wall without the city of David, on the west side of Gihon, in the valley, even to the entering in at the fish gate, and compassed about Ophel, and raised it up a very great height, and put captains of war in all the fenced cities of Judah. And he took away the strange gods, and the idol out of the house of the LORD, and altars that he had built in the mount of the house of the LORD, and in Jerusalem, and cast them out of the city.
And he repaired the altar of the LORD, and sacrificed thereon peace offerings and thank offerings, and commanded Judah to serve the LORD God of Israel. Nevertheless the people did sacrifice still in high places, yet unto the LORD their God only.”
2 Chronicles 33:1-2,9-17 KJV
Redeemed of the Lord, a careful study of the life of Manasseh, revealed how Manasseh changed his community, first for evil and then for good. Crowned king of Judah at the age of twelve, he led his people astray and they did great evil for many years (2 Chronicles 33:1-9). They paid no attention to God’s warnings, and so He allowed Manasseh to be taken prisoner to Babylon (verses. 10-11).
Beloved, in his distress, the king humbly cried out to God who heard his plea, and restored him to his kingdom (verses 12-13). The now reformed king rebuilt the city walls and got rid of the foreign gods (verses 14-15). “He restored the altar of the Lord and . . . told Judah to serve the Lord, the God of Israel” (verse 16).
As the people observed the radical transformation of Manasseh, so were they too transformed (verse 17).
As we seek God, He can transform us, and so, impact our communities through us.
Transformation is not by work, but by the grace of God through the Holy Spirit’s work in our life. When we faithfully seek God, and serve Him, God can use us to restore hope to many that are living in hopelessness.
Your transformation by God, brings transformation to others. Shalom.
I pray that the Lord will mercifully transform your life, so that you can transform others by your own transformation, in Jesus name Amen.
I pray that the Lord will anoint you for uncommon favour and unprecedented breakthrough in Jesus name Amen.
*Pastor Josiah KGS. GPPM
+234-805-551-6088
pastorjosiahkehinde@gmail.com