So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the Lord had destroyed before the children of Israel. – 2 Chronicles 33:9, KJV

It is so easy to forget just how full of grace our God is.  But when we look at Bible characters like King Manasseh, we can appreciate all the wonder of His mercy.

Young Manasseh was a mere twelve years old when he began to reign in Judah, and he was the son of the righteous King Hezekiah.  Despite being raised by a godly father, Manasseh followed a different path, committing great evil in God’s sight.  Manasseh was a dedicated idol worshipper, and as 2 Chronicles 33:6 and 33:9 (KJV) record:

6 And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger.

9 So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the Lord had destroyed before the children of Israel.

I understand what it feels like to have guilt from the sins I’ve committed crush my soul. But I cannot fathom the depth of crushing guilt that must accompany a life filled with murdering my children, practicing black magic, and engaging in devil worship. Manasseh was guilty of these all, and I have to believe that his existence was absolutely miserable as the weight of bitterness bore down upon him.

God had every right to destroy Manasseh for such atorcities, but He didn’t.  Instead, through great trials and captivity at the hands of the king of Assyria, God brough Manasseh to his knees.  Through the pain, Manasseh found God, repented of his sin, and found grace in the sight of the merciful Savior.  God restored Manasseh to his throne, and before all was said and done, God granted Manasseh one of the longest reigns recorded in the Bible for any king of Judah (55 years; 2 Chronicles 33:1).

Sin is no small matter to God.  Something as insignificant to the human mind as eating a piece of forbidden fruit was enough to prompt God to announce His plan of salvation in Genesis 3:15 – a plan that called for the brutal murder of His only begotten Son. But how in the world can God forgive such weighty sins as Manasseh committed, even the murder of his own children?  It is impossible for the human mind to fathom such forgiveness, but with God, all things are possible.

No matter how horrible our sin, God can forgive us, if we will but ask.  If sin stands between you and your God today, don’t let the guilt of your crimes against God prevent you from seeking His forgiveness.  If Manasseh can ask for and receive God’s mercy, so can we – no matter what.