Day 210

2 Kings 21:1-22:2; 2 Chronicles 33:1-34:7; Jeremiah 1:1-2:22.  “How Bad is Your Past?”

         How bad is your past?  Is it as ugly as Manasseh’s?  He led the nation of Judah to do more evil than even the pagan nations were guilty of.  He built pagan altars everywhere, even inside the Temple.  He worshipped everything from stars to idols.  He practiced sorcery, divination, and witchcraft, and consulted with mediums and psychics.  He even sacrificed his own sons in the fire.  I doubt your past was that bad.
         It took capture by the enemy to reduce Manasseh’s pride.  The Assyrians put a ring through his nose, bound him in chains, and led him away.  While a prisoner, “in deep distress,” he cried out humbly to God.  “He prayed, the Lord listened to him and was moved by his request for help.  So, the Lord let him return to Jerusalem and to his kingdom” (2 Chr. 33:13).
         If God can forgive the past sins of Manasseh, there is no doubt that he can forgive anyone.  Don’t become so guilt-ridden that you fail to come to the One who has the power to heal and forgive anyone.

General Questions for each day:
Summarize the day’s Bible passage in your own words.
What thoughts, actions, attitudes or beliefs are addressed in the passage?
How is the Holy Spirit leading you to apply this passage to your life today?

Bible Discussion Guide:
Is hindsight always 100%?  What could make it less than 100%?  Or, is there something we can do to make use of the 100%?
We know we can learn from the past, but why are we not proficient at doing so?
What part does prophecy and fulfilled prophecy play in looking back? (see July 26 devotional)
How can pride hinder learning from the past or preparing for the future?
When it comes to forgiving sins, or more specifically God’s removing them from us, how far does God look back? (Jer. 31:34)  Where do our feelings of guilt about the past come from?
Personal application:  Spend time to list some of the things you have learned from the past.