His Part, My Part

“Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem… And he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, according to the despicable practices of the nations whom the Lord drove out before the people of Israel.  He rebuilt the high places that Hezekiah his father had destroyed, and he erected altars for Baal and made an Asherah, as Ahab had done, and worshiped all the host of heaven and served them.  He built altars in the house of the Lord, of which the Lord had said, ‘In Jerusalem will I put my name…’ He burned his son as an offering and used fortune-telling and omens and dealt with mediums and necromancers. He did much evil in the sight of the Lord, provoking him to anger. And the carved image of Asherah that he had made he set in the house of which the Lord said to David and to Solomon his son, “In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will put my name forever’… They did not listen, and Manasseh led them astray to do more evil than the nations had done whom the Lord destroyed before the people of Israel.” 2 Kings 21:1-7,9

The Lord had preserved a remnant in David’s line. The Lord had favored Judah, giving her land once occupied by pagan nations. The Lord had captured his father Hezekiah’s heart and abundantly blessed his reign. He witnessed his gratitude and learned of God’s faithfulness. But Manasseh made his own choices and turned his own way. He shrugged off the identity as God’s chosen, he spurned God’s favor, and he invited strange gods into his heart. (1 Kings 11:31-36; 2 Kings 18:1-7; Isaiah 38:16-20)

Before we shame Manessah for squandering his heritage and opportunities, we must take stock of our whats and whys. It can be that we slide ahead without willful obedience, assuming subconsciously another’s good reputation will cover us, or we’ll come around later. We may rebel against comparison, or shrug off another’s example out of stubborn independence, bent on exploring for ourselves. We might weakly surrender to wayward lusts. The tug of war in a Christian’s soul is real and sometimes intense. Every slip makes easier the next.

Jesus saves in an astounding application of grace, and sanctifies us through development of our will. He tests our allegiances, giving opportunity to grow by deliberate choices. He’s on our side, but gives leeway for our decisions. How do we handle our freedom? Where do we insist on doing things our way? (Genesis 22:12-14; Job 1:8-12; Romans 8:31-34; Ephesians 6:10-12)

The sad thing about poor choices is that often they affect others too. My prideful initiative, aggression, and indulgences never stand alone, but hurt others in their wake. My attitude or example can stain the image of the Christ I bear or lead others astray. (2 Kings 21:19-22)

For my part, will I first thank the Lord for His? Will I seek His word and will, then in obedience, His glory over my own? How consistently and persistently am I cooperating with the process of sanctification?

Father, make me holy. Help me stand firm in Your word and yield to You alone.