Upheld Through Weeds

The King who Followed The Wind

Long ago there lived a king. He reigned in his country for fifty-five years. You’d think, in all that time, he would be a benevolent ruler who ruled his people in the ways of righteousness so that they might have peace.

But, alas, King Manasseh followed the wind. Every doctrine or new way of worship seemed right in his eyes. He built altars and places of adoration to any god who happened along. He encouraged his people to do the same and they did.

Peace did not reign in King Manasseh’s land. The king was a leader who led his people down a weed-strewn path. It might have been lined with purple silk and draped with grapes and wine, but weeds grew underneath and the people stumbled on rocks.

The True God warned him over and over, but the king and his people had deaf ears. They partied on.

The Consequences

Well, the True God did just as He said He would do. He drew a foreign power to the land and demolished the kingdom. King Manasseh was led away in chains to Babylon where he languished.

What could be worse than living in a dungeon with nothing but thoughts and regrets to keep you company? This was the king’s fate.

The people in his land suffered as well. With the land devastated and their riches gone, they had to learn to live in poverty with none of the benefits they once enjoyed.

The Restoration

While shackled in prison, King Manasseh humbled himself before the True God and confessed his sins. He admitted that he’d led his people astray and begged for mercy.

The True God was merciful. King Manasseh was released and sent home. This time, though, he stood firm for his God and his people. He removed all the false gods and ideologies from the high places in society.

The True God blessed the king and his people.

Moral of the Story 

Stand Firm. Confess sin. Ask God for mercy. Pray continuously no matter what weeds are growing. There are good roots beneath the weeds. Prayer will water them.

He has given us armor for confidence to stand firm in every situation. Put it on daily. (See Ephesians, Chapter 6).

God is faithful and gracious. He looks for those who look to Him.

Try Him and see.

“In his distress he sought the favor of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. And when he prayed to Him, the Lord was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so He brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord is God” (2 Chronicles 33:12-13 NIV).