I read something last week that I have read many times before, but it never really “hit me” before.

Manasseh was one of the most evil of all the kings of Judah.  He did more to anger God than any of the bad kings who came before him.  He went so far as to offer his children as burnt offerings to other gods – The Bible puts it like this:

 

Jeremiah 32:35 (ESV)
 They built the high places of Baal in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, to offer up their sons and daughters to Molech, though I did not command them, nor did it enter into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.

 

He was one of the last kings to rule before God kicked the whole nation out of the Promised Land.  He was so bad, God allowed him to be captured and brought in chains to Babylon.  When that happened, something came over Manasseh, and he turned to God for help.  God forgave him and allowed him to return to Jerusalem.  When he got back he began to undo the damage he did earlier.  He is a great example of a truly changed life.

I am not suggesting that you can live like hell all your life, repent at the 11th hour and call it good.  The problem here is that most people who plan to repent at the 11th hour usually die at 10:45.  Having said that, isn’t it a comfort to know that no matter how “bad” we have been or how long we have been doing it, we serve a God, who sees our hearts and forgives us accordingly.  If you need more proof, remember the thief on the cross next to Jesus.  Technically, he did not even ask for forgiveness, nor did he ask Jesus “into his heart”, he asked Jesus to remember him.  Jesus’ response was to forgive him, and tell him they would see each other in paradise that very day.  The thief didn’t even have the chance to “prove” he was sincere.

We need to remind ourselves, no sin is beyond the ability for Jesus to forgive, if asked.  No one living is beyond the reach of Him to save.  Jesus is just jumping at the chance to forgive anyone.

I am proof of that.