By Merinah Mbabazi
The average parent regardless of their personal character desires that their child follows the right path. Unfortunately, the child may decide to curve their own disastrous path despite a proper upbringing. This was illustrated through a sermon by Reverend Canon Dr Rebecca Nyegenye an alumnus of UCU this Thursday during community worship.
She drew her preaching from 2 Chronicles 33:1 which takes us through the acts committed by Manasseh-who became king of Israel at 12 years old.Instead of continuing the legacy his father King Hezekiah left, Manasseh worked against everything his father stood for.
Whereas Hezekiah was an honourable repentant, God-loving king, Manasseh was a proud “high level witchdoctor” who pushed his people to do evil. He even rebuilt the high places that his father had broken down, raised altars for the Baals (idols) which he worshipped and provoked God to anger.
“Some of you dress well, carry yourselves properly, but inside you are moving shrines!” the reverend said. She related Manasseh’s courts to the headquarters of Mukajanga- who was the chief executioner of the famous Uganda martyrs .
In the valley of your bad decisions, it is often difficult to hear the Lord’s voice. The reverend explained that your choices soon match the master controlling you and they cripple the people you lead. After refusing to listen to God, Manasseh is eventually pushed to repentance through painful humiliation by enemy armies. She emphasized that the devil humiliates us after making a wrong choice to turn us away from the Almighty. Through constantly reminding us of our past failures, he paints a picture of unworthiness in our minds.
As believers however, we should confess our sins and turn back to our sovereign Father. Drawing a parallel to the Prodigal son (Luke 15) and how his father received him when he returned home, Reverend Nyegenye reminded the congregation that God is always ready to forgive us. She urged that living without Him is a wrong choice in itself and regardless of how tempting it is, we should be strong and of good courage. Making right choices that edify the Lord enables us to live fulfilled lives.
