Dirty Laundry

 "His (Manasseh's) prayer and how God was moved by his entreaty, as well as all his sins and unfaithfulness, and all the sites where he built high places and set up Asherah poles and idols before he humbled himself - all these are written in the records of the seers." 2 Chronicles 33:19

    This guy, Manasseh, was only twelve years old when he became king of Judah. When I think of how goofy I was when I was that age, maybe I can better understand how badly he botched his royal life and its fifty-five year reign. 

    The Bible airs his laundry list:  

• he rebuilt the high places
• he erected altars to the Baals
• he made Asherah poles
• he bowed down to the starry hosts, even setting up altars to them in God's temple
• he sacrificed his children in the fire
• he practiced divination and witchcraft
• he consulted mediums and spiritists
• he led the people astray

    In fact, the people of Judah under Manasseh's leadership did more evil than all the pagan nations before them. Though God spoke to them about this, they paid no attention. Manasseh ended up being dragged off by a hook in his nose as a prisoner of the Assyrians, bound by bronze shackles.

    My laundry list may have different entries than that of this king, but all stains look the same to our Holy God. "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind, our sins sweep us away." (Isaiah 64:6)

    

    I shrink from the very idea of my lascivious laundry flapping in the biblical breeze for all to see, but my Heavenly Father sees all; He knows my every transgression. How embarrassing!

    When Peter denied even knowing Jesus by the charcoal fire in the courtyard, Jesus turned His gaze on him with those piercing eyes, seeing through to Peter's soul. The disciple wept bitterly, as do I when my contrition overwhelms me. Thanks be to God, a broken and a contrite heart He does not despise! (Psalm 51:17)

    Getting back to Manasseh's dirty laundry...As he was being led away in shackles of shame, he repented of all his sins and the Lord had mercy on him. "In his distress he sought the favor of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his ancestors," the Bible says, "And when he prayed to him, the Lord was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so he brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom." (2 Chronicles 33: 12, 13)

    My mother used to say, "Cleanliness is next to Godliness." I have to agree with her because there is no way I am going to see God in my dirty clothes. The only stain fighter that works is the blood of Jesus.

"Wash me and I will be whiter than snow." Psalm 51:7

    

What is More Important?

 "You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved." Matthew 10:22

    Within the pages of the latest newsletter I received from the Voice of the Martyrs, I learned of the persecutions Christians in Vietnam are facing. 

    Many of their people are animists who worship spirits believed to inhabit the world around them as well as the spirits of their deceased ancestors. Fortune tellers and witch doctors are consulted for advice on health and success. The darkness of this demonic oppression runs deeply in this Communistic country, raining blows of suffering upon those who profess Christ. 

    The story is told of a man and wife, Cai and Hein, who found just a glimmer of hope one day while on the internet. It was there they heard of the powerful, loving God of the Christians, but they needed to know more. Soon, God sent some traveling traders who shared the Good News with them, which they accepted with joy.

    In response to their newfound faith, they burned the animistic altar which had been in their home. This began waves of persecution from their community and the government as all forms of support were withheld from their family. Their electricity was cut off, they were denied police protection and Cai was falsely arrested and imprisoned. Even their children were denied enrollment in the local school. To feed her family, Hein had to harvest edibles from the forest.

    Have you ever wondered why the persecutions against Christianity are so vehement and violent? What was it about Jesus that caused Him to be so hated? Why were the apostles of the early church martyred for their faith? 

    The apostle Paul listed the hardships he suffered for Christ: imprisoned, flogged, beaten with rods, stoned, shipwrecked, hungry and thirsty, cold and naked and in constant danger. Yet, in his letter to the Romans he declared, "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." (Romans 8:18)

    The reason behind the hatred is because those who live in darkness do not want to hear the voice of Truth. Though the light of Christ came into the world, people loved the darkness, not wishing to be exposed. (John 3: 19, 20)

    As I read about those like Cai and Hein who are my relatives in the family of God, I pray for faith like theirs which remains even if all else is lost. I will close with this quote from Hein who said it best: "Even if Cai stays in prison, we believe in Jesus and have eternal life. If he (Cai) is free here and doesn't believe in Jesus, we don't have eternal life. What is more important? We want to have eternal life, so we can accept any suffering in our life."

"Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you." Psalm 63:3