Hands On
Do you find reason each day to praise God?
In your great goodness, Lord, you have promised forgiveness to sinners, that they may repent of their sin and be saved. And now, O Lord, I bend the knee of my heart, and make my appeal, sure of your gracious goodness. I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned, and I know my wickedness only too well. Therefore I make this prayer to you: Forgive me, Lord, forgive me. Do not let me perish in my sin, nor condemn me to the depths of the earth. For you, O Lord, are the God of those who repent, and in me you will show forth your goodness. Unworthy as I am, you will save me, in accordance with your great mercy, and I will praise you without ceasing all the days of my life. For all the powers of heaven sing your praises, and yours is the glory to ages of ages. Amen. - Prayer of Manasseh 6-7, 11-15
Manasseh was a truly bad king. He restored altars to Baal on high places and slaughtered prophets. So, he had reason to be worried in God's presence.
Some believe that this prayer, written much later than Chronicles, which reports on Manasseh's reign, is an attempt to explain why God didn't take action earlier on this king. Why let him rule so long?
It would make sense if Manasseh sought God's forgiveness. Then there would be a reason for God to let him live, even though he was evil.
But what stands out in the prayer is the understanding that God does forgive us for any and all evils, if we are truly repentant. Manasseh wants God to believe him, so he promises to praise God all the days of his life.
Do we do that?
Knowing that life is good for us, when it is, shouldn't we praise God? Or are we victims of our own ego, believing all the good that comes to us is our doing?
Even if we don't believe that God bestows favor on those who are righteous, and punishes those who are not, shouldn't we take time to thank God for this life and for guiding us in the light to make right choices?
The degree to which God is hands on in our lives is up to us. We choose to let God in, and we choose to follow the wisdom of the Spirit.
And when we choose to go our own way, all the consequences are ours.
So, today, let us praise God and be thankful.
What have we got to lose, but everything?
More to come...