RRegret

Recently, I read a detailed article in the Wall Street Journal (“WSJ”) concerning this subject matter.  The article detailed the negatives and positives of regret.  Having read the article, I began thinking about my personal regrets over the past years.  The conclusion of my pondering led me to researching the term from a Christian perspective.

My first attempt to examine this subject matter was to look to the original language (Hebrew, Greek) for some guidance.  The Hebrew word nacham appears in Scripture in a variety of verses.  Strong’s Concordance defines the word this way: to be sorry; console oneself.  There were other synonyms used, including regret, in the concordance.  The Greek word metamelomai is translated as regret but can also mean to experience a change of concern after a change of emotion that usually means regret or falling into an emotional remorse. (Source: Strong’s Concordance)

The WSJ article on regret was very revealing to me.  Is regret healthy?  Or is it harmful?  Or perhaps neither or both?  As I turned to God’s Word, I found that even God had regret!  Surprised?  Well, let us take a look back in Genesis 6 to a time when sin was rampant in the time of Noah. (Antediluvian period) Genesis 6:5-6 says, “The LORD saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time.  The LORD grieved (regretted) that He had made man on the earth, and His heart was filled with pain.”  God’s plan was to destroy His creation – that is, except for Noah and his family which Scripture tells us were “righteous.”  The result was total destruction of all living matter except for the righteous family of eight.  Sin caused total wickedness and a total 180 away from God!

Another situation that grieved our LORD was the anointing of Saul as king of Israel.  1 Samuel 15 records the story of the LORD’s conversation with Samuel.  Samuel was God’s instrument in the anointing of God’s choice as the first king of Israel.  But Saul did not obey God and His orders to destroy everything of the Amalekites.  Instead, he saved out the best of their herds and the life of Agag their king.  Then the LORD came to Samuel and said, “I am grieved that I have made Saul king.” (1 Samuel 15:10) When Samuel met with Saul to deliver God’s message, Saul refused to admit his sin, instead he said that he devoted the best from the captured flocks to the LORD.  Samel then replied, “To obey is better than sacrifice.” (1 Sameul 15:22b) Therein is the genesis of the jealousy of Saul towards God’s chosen replacement – David.

Yes, God had regrets.  And so the door is open wide for us, His creation, to also have regrets.  Perhaps no one individual in the Old Testament (“O. T.”) is a better example of regret than king David.  In one of David’s many Psalms, he said, “then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not cover up my iniquity.  I said, I will confess my transgression to the LORD, and You forgave the guilt of my sin.” (Psalm 32:5) In my book, Reflection: Journey through the Psalms, I entitled this chapter, “The Joy of Forgiveness.”  Yes, joy is the fruit of forgiveness.  David is ecstatic over the LORD’s agape love for him and His forgiving nature for a contrite heart.  David continues to write of his joy in Psalm 51.  “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. . .and restore to me the joy of Your salvation.” (Verses 10,12)

In my research on this topic, I came across a site on regret (biblereasons.com/bible-verses-about-regrets).  The author listed thirty verses in Scripture on the subject.  Listen to his opening paragraph.  “Never allow Satan to hurt you with regret.  Sometimes he tries to make us dwell on our past sins before Christ. Worrying about old sins does nothing for you.  Through repentance and putting your trust in Christ for salvation, you are a new creation. God blots out your sins and remembers them no more.  Keep your mind on Christ and continue your walk of faith.  If you stumble, repent, and keep on moving.  You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.”  (Source: 30 Encouraging Bible Verses About Regrets in Life)

This same author quotes The Late Reverend Billy Graham when he said, “I have never known anyone to accept Christ’s redemption and later regret it.”  No regrets!  St. Paul says something similar in 2 Corinthians.  “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret.” (7:10) St. Paul grieved over the church at Corinth.  This second letter was a “stern” letter to the church over their sin.  Chapter seven expounds on Paul’s joy over their repentance.  Yes, this too exudes the joy of forgiveness just as David said in Psalm 32.

Like Billy Graham’s quote, I too have no regret over my faith and walk with Jesus, my Savior.  St. John says it this way, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) King David penned one of my favorite Psalms (103).  Copying a table from my book chapter 103 which summarizes the benefits of our faith and forgiveness.

Reflection: Journey through the Psalms, chapter 103, by G. H. Roesener

If I have learned anything in my research and study, it is this: that confessing our sins and resultant forgiveness is the polar opposite of regret.   St. Paul confirms my statement in his epistle to the Romans, “There is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”  (Romans 8:1) As people of faith, we have put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6) which withstands all the evil schemes of the devil.  Period.  End of story. Amen and Amen.

Peace

Connected in Him, I stand

GHR

February 2022