Written by: John Sernaque
Call to Worship
2 Chronicles 33: 9-13
33: 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.
33:10 And the LORD spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken.
33:11 Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon.
33:12 And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers,
33:13 And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God.
The Way God Works-
The Lord has often spoken to His people in warning and reproof. He has revealed Himself in mercy, love, and kindness. He has not left His backsliding people to the will of the enemy, but has borne long with them, even during obdurate apostasy. But after appeals have been made in vain, He prepares the rod for punishment. What compassionate love has been exercised toward the people of God! The Lord might have cut down in their sins those who were working at cross purposes with Him, but He has not done this. His hand is stretched out still. We have reason to offer thanksgiving to God that He has not taken His Spirit from those who have refused to walk in His way. Letter 94, 1899
The LORD shall bring thee, and thy king which thou shalt set over thee, unto a nation which neither thou nor thy fathers have known; and there shalt thou serve other gods, wood and stone. And if they be bound in fetters, and be holden in cords of affliction; Then he sheweth them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded. He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity. If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures. Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron; Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High: Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help. Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses. The LORD is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was intreated of us. And he took away the strange gods, and the idol out of the house of the LORD, and all the altars that he had built in the mount of the house of the LORD, and in Jerusalem, and cast them out of the city. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Our Father, which art in heaven,
We come into Your presence in thanksgiving, praise, and prayer. We thank and praise You for all the wonderful works You instill in us every day. You are love and give us Your love even more so than a parent to a child ever can imagine. For You so loved the world, so loved us, that You gave Your only begotten Son as a ransom to pay the price for our transgressions. There is nothing we can do by our own strength or works to blot out our sins. We are so grateful to You for giving the gift of salvation freely to those who come to You that believe You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. We thank You for speaking to us, giving us warning and reproof that we may not fall into the snares Satan casts all around. We pray that in our afflictions You hear our supplications and save us from the will of our enemies. We thank You for Your longsuffering towards us as You reveal Yourself in mercy, love, and kindness and increase our faith day by day. We pray for all Your children to hearken unto Your voice, not turn to the left or to the right, but walk forward and straight on the narrow path that leads to Your heavenly kingdom. We offer thanksgiving to You for not taking Your Spirit from those who have refused to walk in Your way. We pray You open our ears to discipline and Your commandments for all to turn away from their sins and that they return from iniquity. We humble ourselves under Your mighty hand, that You may exalt us in due time. We cast all our cares upon You; for we know You care for us. We pray to have our names written in Your Book of Life. We thank You for hearing and answering our prayers, in the name of Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.
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