You can take a little time out from living to look back, too, because that hurts you enough to make your life better.”
–Luke Short (Ramrod)
“I have chosen the way of truth; I have set Your ordinances before me.”
–Psalm 119:30 (HCSB)
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“Your many sins are all forgiven;
Oh, hear the voice of Jesus;
Go on your way in peace to heaven
And wear a crown with Jesus.”
–William Hunter
Perhaps you still moan and fume over something stupid you did when you were younger. We’ve all done a few of them, some of us more than others. The regret still lingers, but the Lord looks at us, not from a position of anger, but one with eyes of love. The second part of Psalm 25 is important to help us along the way.
7 – Do not remember the sins of my youth or my acts of rebellion; in keeping with Your faithful love, remember me because of Your goodness, Lord.
8 – The Lord is good and upright; therefore He shows sinners the way.
9 – He leads the humble in what is right and teaches them His way.
10 – All the Lord’s ways show faithful love and truth to those who keep His covenant and decrees.
11 – Because of Your name, Yahweh, forgive my sin, for it is great.
12 – Who is the man who fears the Lord? He will show him the way he should choose.
13 – He will live a good life, and his descendants will inherit the land. (HCSB)
There is a difference between remorse and repentance. With remorse a person may be sorry, but repentance means they will try to not commit the sin again. The Lord promises, and remember He is always faithful to His promise, to the person who fears the Lord and seeks to turn from their sin. Then He will show us the path to take.
We must look to Him, understand Who He is. Arrogance, pride, and self-centeredness must be cast away and we must have a proper respect for Him, for He is our Instructor, the One who will teach us how to see the right path. One thing for sure in life, our problems will either drive us closer to the Lord or away from Him. We must not become hard-hearted, but keep a tender, humble spirit when standing before Him.
God is faithful; He will forgive our sins. We must then fear the Lord. In this time in which we live there is so much mockery, many are sacrilegious and sully the name of the Lord. Respect Him! God’s honor and reputation were a concern to those in the Old Testament, how much more should it be for those who have had their sins washed away.
Note what happens to those who fear the Lord: he will be shown the right way, he will be able to live a good life, and his descendants will inherit the earth. Put your sin in the past, strive to move forward, listen to the words of your Instructor, do not mock or murmur and great will be your reward.