Just a Thought: Sometimes regret is a good thing. While no one wants to live with the burden of regret, there are times God uses those times for our good and His glory. When we sin against God and others and then suddenly, we stop being selfish and see the results of what we have done, we can have regret. When this regret turns into remorse, it can turn us back to God. This is what happened to David when he was confronted with the sin he had been attempting to cover up. And this is what happen to Israel when they had rebelled against the Lord and God threatened to send terrible calamity among them. The Lord created a situation in which the people were confronted with their sin and the results of it. Some would die at the hands of their enemies because of it. Some would survive but all would be disbursed. And the Lord followed up His promise of judgment with this warning, “I don’t threaten in vain” In other words, you don’t have to wonder if I am really going to do what I say, it’s a promise not a threat. But here is the hope. For those who survive and are disbursed, even though they will suffer the consequences of their sin, they would come to regret their attitudes and actions, and this would result in a good thing. “They will loathe themselves for the evil they have done and for all their detestable practices. …And they will know that I am the Lord; I did not threaten in vain to bring this calamity on them.” (Ezek 6:9, 10) They will know I am the Lord. This means God would do what He would do and cause the people to remember the Lord. They would remember Hs character. They would remember God is a God of His word “all of it!” His words of judgment as well as His words of mercy and grace for those who repent. Remembering God. Calling upon the Lord. Returning to the Lord. All of these things are the good things that can come from true regret. Sometimes regret is a good thing. And it is always a good thing when it causes us to change course and get right with the Lord. Romans 8:28 says God can work in and though all things for good… And regret is one of those things He sometimes has to work through. If regret was or is being used of the Lord in your life to bring you back to the Lord, take some time today to thank the Lord for the regret He used to bring you back. Dear Lord, I am so sorry for the things in my life that I did that brought about my regret. But I thank you for using it to open my eyes and to turn me from my sin back to You. And, for that I thank You Lord for my regrets that turned me to Your mercy and grace. In Jesus name, amen.
