Forgetfulness

While in deep distress, Manasseh sought the LORD his God and sincerely humbled himself before the God of his ancestors. And when he prayed, the LORD listened to him and was moved by his request. So the LORD brought Manasseh back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh finally realized that the LORD alone is God! 2 Chronicles 33:12-13

MOSES REPEATEDLY WARNED the people of Israel to remember the Lord when they settled in the Promised Land, saying, “Take care, lest you forget the covenant of the LORD your God, which he made with you, and make a carved image, the form of anything that the LORD your God has forbidden you” (Deuteronomy 4:23, ESV). But they did forget.

Their failure to remember reached its zenith in the days when Manasseh —a man whose name meant “forgetfulness” —reigned over Judah. The king over God’s people was supposed to rule in righteousness, leading in loving the Lord exclusively. But Manasseh led them in worshiping idols and forsaking the Lord. The king over God’s people was also supposed to listen to what God had to say to him through the prophets, but Manasseh killed the prophets who pointed out his sin.

Because Judah, along with her king, forgot God, God did something Judah would never forget —“the LORD sent the commanders of the Assyrian armies, and they took Manasseh prisoner. They put a ring through his nose, bound him in bronze chains, and led him away to Babylon” (2 Chronicles 33:11). Judah watched as her king was treated like an animal. But in that faraway land, God reminded this forgetful king of his steadfast love, and Manasseh sincerely humbled himself before God. We might wonder if it was too little too late. But while Manasseh deserved God’s judgment, he experienced God’s mercy.

Manasseh shows us that there is no evil we or our children can do that is so great that God will not show mercy when we call out to him in repentance. When we humble ourselves in this way, we are sure to experience his abundant mercy.

Lord, we so easily lose sight of all it means that you have bound yourself in covenant love to us. But we really don’t want to forget. We ask you to protect ________ from forgetfulness of your love. We ask that ________ would cling so closely to you that it would not require deep distress to make her realize that you alone are God. May ________ never forget she can do no evil so great that you will not show mercy when she repents.