The proper way for a sinner to be brought to God is for God to speak to him, and for him to hear. Manasseh would not come that way, so God fetched him back by a rougher road.
I. The Lord often allows temporal trials to take men captive.
1. Business disasters.
2. Want of employment.
3. Extraordinary troubles.
4. Bodily affliction.
5. The loss of dear friends.
II. The lord sometimes allows men to be bound by mental trials; “ bound with fetters.” Such as--
1. When sin ceases to afford pleasure. The very things that once made him all aglow with delight do not affect him now, nor cast a single ray of light on his path.
2. The daily avocation becomes distasteful.
3. There is great inability in prayer.
4. Your old sins come out of their hiding-places.
5. A great want of power to grasp the promises.
6. A fear of death and dread of judgment.
Conclusion: In order to your comfort and peace--
1. Know that the Lord is God.
2. Humble yourself before Him.
3. Begin to pray.
4. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
