God Answers Prayer

“The Lord spoke to Manasseh and to his people, but they paid no attention. ¹¹ Therefore the Lord brought upon them the commanders of the army of the king of Assyria, who captured Manasseh with hooks and bound him with chains of bronze and brought him to Babylon. ¹² And when he was in distress, he entreated the favor of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. ¹³ He prayed to him, and God was moved by his entreaty and heard his plea and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God.” 2 Chronicles 33:10-13 (ESV)

How long can a person run from God? Manasseh refused to heed the voice of God and to demonstrate obedience. Instead, Manasseh rebelled against God and led his people to do the same. The Lord delivered severe consequences by bringing Manasseh into Babylonian captivity.

In humility, Manasseh chose to cry out to God in prayer. God was moved by Manasseh’s entreaty and chose to bring him back into his kingdom in Jerusalem. Manasseh came to know the Lord by experience as the Lord his God.

Sometimes God will allow us to experience the consequences of our personal sin in order to forge brokenness and humility within us. As we turn from sin and turn to the Lord in brokenness and humility, God responds by restoring our love relationship. His abiding peace becomes our reality.

Learn to pray before you are tempted to compromise your convictions. Seek God’s face perpetually and choose to practice God’s presence. Be conscious of His activity and surrender to His Lordship. Don’t allow anything to come between you and God. Keep a close eye on the priorities God as established in your life.

Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 215:  2 Chronicles 32-33)

Pursuing God,

Stephen Trammell
Executive Pastor
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