When He Was in Affliction, He Besought
Through the story of Manasseh, we learn that God's forgiveness and restoration are available to us, even in the midst of great sin and sorrow.
F.B. Meyer emphasizes that no sinner should despair of God's mercy, using the story of Manasseh, who committed numerous sins yet found redemption in his affliction. After being taken captive and suffering greatly, Manasseh humbled himself and earnestly prayed, leading to God's gracious response and restoration. Meyer assures that just as God forgave Manasseh, He is willing to forgive and restore anyone who turns to Him with a broken heart. The sermon encourages believers to seek God not only in times of trouble but also in love and devotion. Ultimately, it highlights the abundant grace available through Jesus Christ.
Text
When he was in affliction, he besought
the Lord his God. 2 Chron. xxxiii. 12.
SO long as this story stands on the page of revelation, no sinner need despair of mercy. There was hardly a sin possible to man that Manasseh did not commit. "He 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." And he made his people do worse than the heathen.
Then came awful sorrow. Bound in fetters, exposed to consummate cruelty and disgrace, he was carried to Babylon, and thrust into the dungeons, where other captive princes were immured, with little chance of liberation or permission to revisit his native land. But there the Spirit of God did his work. He humbled himself greatly, and prayed. What tears, and cries, and bursts of heart‑broken penitence, were his! How those walls were saturated with the breath of confession, and those stone floors indented by his kneeling at perpetual prayer! And God came near to his low dungeon, and graciously heard his supplication, and brought him back again.
Yes, and He will do as much for you. The blood of jesus Christ his Son cleanseth from all sin; the grace of God is exceedingly abundant with faith and love; all sins and blasphemies may be forgiven to the sons of men. Turn to Him with brokenness of soul, and He will not only forgive, but bring you again; and give you, as He did Manasseh, an opportunity of undoing some of those evil things which have marred your past. For the rest, it is good not to wait for affliction to stir us up to seek God, but to abide in Him for love's dear bake.
Sermon Outline
- Manasseh's Sin and Sorrow
- Manasseh's Prayer and Restoration
- Applying the Lesson to Our Lives
- The Importance of Seeking God
- The Availability of Forgiveness
Key Quotes
“The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth from all sin;” — F.B. Meyer
“The grace of God is exceedingly abundant with faith and love;” — F.B. Meyer
“For the rest, it is good not to wait for affliction to stir us up to seek God, but to abide in Him for love's dear sake.” — F.B. Meyer
Application Points
- We should seek God regularly, rather than waiting for affliction to stir us up to do so.
- God's forgiveness and restoration are available to us, even in the midst of great sin and sorrow.
- Prayer is a powerful way to connect with God and seek His forgiveness and guidance.