Do you know of a person seems too far gone that it seems there’s no hope for them?

Manasseh, the son of King Hezekiah in the Bible comes to mind.  

Hezekiah is remembered a good and honorable king who on his deathbed, pleaded with God to extend his life.  God granted his request and added 15 years to life.

Hezekiah was a good king, who honored God and was faithful before the Lord.

But his son Manasseh is often described as one of the most evil kings of Judah.   

He rebuilt pagan shrines, he constructed alters for Baal, and set up Asherah poles for worship.  He built pagan altars inside the Temple of the Lord.  He practiced sorcery and divination.  And he even sacrificed his own sons in the fire to the pagan gods.

This guy was as pretty evil as they come.

God warned him that judgement was coming.  But Manasseh did not listen.

Judgement came in the form of an invasion from the Assyrian army.  Manasseh was carried off from Jerusalem, bound in chains and thrown in a Babylonian prison with no hope of ever being free again.

But something happened to Manasseh in that prison.  The scripture says “while in deep distress, Manasseh sought the Lord his God and sincerely humbled himself….and when he prayed, the Lord listened to him and was moved by his request.” (2 Chronicles 33:12-13 NLT)

Manasseh spent 12 years in that prison.  But when he turned his eyes towards God and asked for help, God not only freed him from prison, but restored him as King of Judah.

Once restored to the throne, Manasseh went to work rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, removing the pagan gods and idols from the Lord’s temple, and tearing down altars he had built in Jerusalem.  He offered sacrifices to the Lord and encouraged the people of Judah to worship the God of Israel. (2 Chronicles 33:14-16, NLT)

Manasseh’s life started off one way, but ended as one that honored God.

Have you too had a rough start in life?  It’s not how you started, but how you finish that counts.  I pray that you will not let your past determine the course of your destiny.  I pray that you would turn your eyes up to Him who will help you to finish strong.

~ Vijoy