Grandfatherhood

READ 2 Chronicles 33-34

We have a great contrast in the life of Manasseh, son of Hezekiah, with his grandfather Ahaz. Ahaz was an evil king whom God gave over to the hand of the Syrians in battle. And the Scripture says that “in the time of his distress he became yet more faithless to the Lord —this same King Ahaz” (28:22). How utterly sad.

But his grandson Manasseh began his reign just like Ahaz had, doing what was evil in the sight of the Lord. He returned the people to the worship of idols, even burning his own sons on the fires of idolatry. This time God gave Judah into the hands of the king of Assyria, who captured Manasseh and took him to Babylon. But, unlike his granddad, “when he was in distress, he entreated the favor of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. He prayed to him, and God was moved by his entreaty and heard his plea and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God” (33:12-13).

Two lessons: one, when in distress, humble yourself before the Lord and cry out to him. Seek the Lord with all your heart and he will hear your prayer. And the second, if you are a grandfather or when you become a grandfather, be the kind of grandfather that others will want your grandkids to imitate. Be an example of humility and obedience to the Lord, not of rebellion and disobedience.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to be a grandfather to my offspring who will show them your greatness, love, mercy and grace. Help me to live humbly before them and point them to you in every way. Help me to love them and help them to know you.