Daily Devo
Don't Lose Hope!
By: Wendy Sanders
Friday, November 14, 2025
The Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention. 1 Chronicles 33:10
The nation of Israel had its fair share of evil kings. One of them was named Manasseh, and his story is found in 2 Chronicles 33. Manasseh became king at age 12, and he reigned for 55 years. We know he was evil, because he built altars to pagan gods and practiced sorcery, divination, and witchcraft. He even sacrificed his own sons to foreign gods! But his evil didn't stop there... Manasseh desecrated God's house by placing carved images and pagan altars inside of the temple.
I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. Jeremiah 31:3
Manasseh was far away from the Lord, and he definitely wasn't obeying God's commands. Despite his evil ways, God lovingly reached out to Manasseh with an offer of restoration. That offer proves that God's love goes beyond what we can comprehend. God made the first move by reaching out to him, but he also gave Manasseh the choice to receive it. Sadly, he ignored God's offer. After Manasseh rejected God, the Lord allowed the king of Assyria to take him prisoner. But when Manasseh hit "rock bottom", he called out to God in his distress.
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. 1 Chronicles 33:12-13
Manasseh's story is a beautiful picture of repentance and humility. Do you know a Manasseh? Have you prayed for their salvation for a very long time? Like Manasseh, are they so far away from God that their salvation seems like an impossibility? Then let Manasseh's story give you hope. God is continually calling everyone, and He's calling them gently and lovingly. So far, maybe they haven't paid much attention to God's call. Like Manasseh, they may need to hit "rock bottom" first! Hopefully, (like Manasseh) there will be a day when they cry out to God in their desperation.
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9
If you know a Manasseh, don’t lose hope, and don't stop praying! Keep presenting your requests to God, He hears you! As this verse from 2 Peter says, He doesn't want anyone to perish, He wants them to repent and return!