A Day-by-day devotional

January 26, 2023

Forgive and Forget?

Chronological One Year Bible Reading Plan: Exodus 1-4

Scripture of the Day: Matthew 6:14-15

The Dutch watchmaker Corrie ten Boom was arrested and sent to Ravensbruck concentration camp during the Nazi era. She and her family helped hide a number of Jews at their home.

While she spoke at a church in Munich, a few years after the war and her release from the concentration camp, she met one of the prison guards who tormented her and her sister Betsie. The guard professed to have found Christ and asked for her forgiveness. Corrie hesitated at first and her heart wrestled. But as she extended out her hand to the man, she felt that forgiveness and love filled her heart.

Forgiveness is one of the hardest things in life to do. The pain and scars that those who have wronged and hurt us have left would not easily go away. And since the wounds have left marks and damages to the soul, one cannot easily forget either. It is common to hear the phrase “Forgive and forget“. Many consider them to be a package deal. Nonetheless, since our minds retain memories, the forgetting part is even harder to do. Still, it is possible to forgive without having to forget. The suffering and agony caused by any wrongdoing would always leave a reminder. After all, any experience that help strengthen and form one‘s character, principles and perspectives wouldn’t be something someone could just do away with. But it is possible to forgive without having to forget. Forgiveness does not require forgetting. What it does require, however, is love.

Whenever we arrive at a situation where we are having a hard time to forgive someone who did us wrong, it often helps when we look at the cross of Jesus. God forgave each and everyone of our sins through the sacrifice of His Son. We were forgiven because of Jesus. Therefore, as the forgiven in Christ, we are admonished to also forgive (Ephesians 4:32). When we look at ourselves and the pain we had to endure, it is difficult, if not impossible to forgive. However, if we look to our Lord and are reminded that we too, have been forgiven, it becomes much easier to forgive.

Reflection: Is there someone who has wronged you whom you have not yet forgiven? What steps are you taking to help your heart get to the point of forgiveness? It may take a while to forgive, but remember, it is never impossible!

Prayer: Father, thank you for forgiving all of my sins through your Son Jesus. In the same way, help me to forgive those who have done me wrong. Amen.

Reference:

Corrie ten Boom, Elizabeth Sherrill, John Sherrill. (1971). The Hiding Place. Guideposts Associates.