Today we study 2nd Chronicles 33:19. It’s a summary of the life of King Manasseh of Judah. “His prayer also, and how God was intreated of him, and all his sin, and his trespass, and the places wherein he built high places, and set up groves and graven images, before he was humbled: behold, they are written among the sayings of the seers.”
This verse today … skillfully presents a concise overview of our protagonist:
The man’s prayer!
And how God “heard” that prayer, was persuaded by the prayer!
And why the King was praying in the first place, for forgiveness!
His egregious transgressions (now cleansed) are then listed!
Next comes his “conversion” experience condensed to a single expression, “was humbled!”
Ending with his “historical record.”
It does not take God long to examine and evaluate a life!
In fact, every single child of God will some day before Jesus, at the “Judgment Seat of Christ!”
Our lives too will be evaluated.
Paul, in 2nd Corinthians 5:10. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” Yes, “all” Believers in Jesus!
And in this “do not judge” Text: “But why dost thou judge thy brother? Or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.” Romans 14:10
No doubt!
In our 2nd Chronicles verse today both the good (how Manasseh ultimately got right with God) and the bad (his too-many-to-count sins) are revealed … about Manasseh.
With us too, our good works and bad works! (This is not to determine our salvation. Rather to gage the rewards we shall be given by our Saviour.) “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the DAY shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall RECEIVE A REWARD. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” 1st Corinthians 3:11-15, the Judgment Seat again, I believe. With the “good” being like “gold and silver and precious stones.” And the “bad” being like “wood, hay and stubble.” And Jesus’ Eyes being like “fire!”
And in this same context, our future evaluation by Jesus, Paul reverently writes: “Knowing therefore the TERROR of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.” 2nd Corinthians 5:11, with the previous verse appearing up above, clearly in a “Judgment Seat of Christ” setting.
Wow!
I adapt 2nd Peter 3:11, as I close today. “Seeing then that all these things shall be … what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness?”
Good question!
Three times Paul admonished us to “walk worthy” of our Saviour.
“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye WALK WORTHY of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:1-3
“That ye might WALK WORTHY of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.” Colossians 1:10
And: “That ye would WALK WORTHY of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.” 1st Thessalonians 2:12
God knows!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell