Don’t Settle for Manasseh

Many times we substitute forgiving with forgetting. “Out of sight, out of mind,” tends to be the mantra for which many settle. No matter how many times we try to convince ourselves, however, there seems to remain a gnawing pain. Lodged deep within the recesses of the soul lies the pain that will not go away. We don’t think about it much, but let the wrong memory surface through a picture, phone call, newspaper article, or even a commercial and the sharp pain surfaces.

In Genesis we read the story of Joseph. His past was marked by deep pain. His brothers, jealous because of their father’s favoritism for Joseph, hated him, beat him, and even sold him into slavery. No matter how hard he worked, it seemed as if things never went his way. Until, finally, everything in his life changed.

Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, had a dream that none of his aides could interpret. A man Joseph had helped earlier remembered Joseph and told Pharaoh about him. When Joseph interpreted the dream and gave wise advice, he was immediately promoted to second in command over all of Egypt. Only Pharaoh was above him. Joseph had finally arrived!

Joseph was soon married and his wife bore him a son. Everything was finally coming together for him. It was time to move forward, to quit looking in the rearview mirror and press on. But the Lord, however, had a different plan for Joseph.

The Lord did not want Joseph to forget his past. For in the very next chapter (Genesis 42) Joseph came face-to-face with his brothers and all his pent-up anger began to overflow. His inner pain surfaced and struck out at his brothers with vengeance.

God does not want us to forget our past pains, but to forgive our past offenders. Like Joseph, many times we try to cover over our hurts. We try to think “happy thoughts,” hoping to mask our pains. This, however, is not God’s way. He sees our hearts and knows the pent-up anger and pain. He wants you to face your past honestly and then deal with it biblically.

Dear heavenly Father, I must ask myself if I have settled with Manasseh. Have I been trying to forget my past pains rather than taking them to the Cross? Today, I take [fill in the blank] to the Cross. I choose forgiveness. I trust You. In Jesus’ name, amen.