The Blessing of Affliction

By Donald Sculley

February 23, 2026

2 Chronicles 33:12-13 And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, 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.

Manasseh reigned the longest of the kings of Judah, 55 years. He was the son of good king Hezekiah, but he was so wicked that he lost the godly influence of his father.

2 Chronicles 33:12 begins “And when he was in affliction.”

It does not say a time of prosperity or good health or national peace, but in affliction.

Everyone has some trouble in life. Those “well stricken in age” may think that young people have no troubles in life, but they do. Young people may think older folks have passed through their affliction and have left their troubles behind, but that is not so. First grade is hard to a first grader, and the senior year of high school is hard to a senior. Life always has its challenges. Hard times are always good times to trust the Lord.

When Manasseh was in affliction “he besought the Lord his God, and humbled himself.” The Lord was intreated of him and “then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God.”

When troubles come don’t look around but look up and trust the Lord. He is able to help.

Reflection—Troubles should not drive us from the Lord but to Him.