Undeserving?

Manasseh had disobeyed God, and not just a little, Manasseh led the people of Judah into doing more evil than any other king before him. Manasseh's punishment from God was swift and deliberate and serious. His captors were ruthless. They bound him, put hooks through his body like he was a wild animal, and imprisoned him in Babylon. As Manasseh suffered, he became broken and sorry for his evil. (Consequences have a way of getting our attention, don't they?) Eventually Manasseh's heart was humbled before God. What is so amazing is that when this rebellious, wicked man prayed to God with pure remorse, God heard him. The same God who had punished Manasseh's evil was drawn by compassion to have pity on him. This story gives me so much hope. Sometimes my suffering is the result of my poor choices or my laziness or my lack of knowledge. Sometimes I could have tried harder or sought God more earnestly. Many of my heartaches probably could have been avoided with greater wisdom or patience on my part. But our God is a merciful God. He hears the contrite prayers of the broken.
Maybe you are suffering in the shame of your choices. If so, then hear this wild, wonderful truth: God listens when we have come to the end of ourselves. Our God moves and abides in a lavish love that never runs out. He delights in showing mercy without end.
2 Chronicles 33:12-13