Regrets come at times, and can even dominate our thought lives.  Regrets over decisions made, how we spent our time, and how situations were handled.  You may have made decisions based on the best information you had at the time, and the decision may have turned out to be a poor one.

There is a difference between learning from your past and dwelling on the past.  Proverbs says that God “stores up sound wisdom for the upright” (22:15) and “the prudent sees danger and hides himself”.  Learning from the past is clearly wise!

Dwelling on the past, however, will never bring peace.  Only finding rest and confidence in the Lord brings peace.  Consider the words of Isaiah 43:

18 Remember not the former things,
nor consider the things of old.
19 Behold, I am doing a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?

In this passage, God is calling His people to remember Him and His promises.  He is the savior (vs. 11).  He makes a way (vs. 16).  He blots out sin (vs. 25).  Because of Him and what He has done, we can press toward the goal (Philippians 3:14) of His high calling and dwell on things that are honorable, just, pure, lovely and commendable (Philippians 4:8).

Μόνο ο Χριστός:  In Christ Alone

In John 15:9-11, Jesus tells His disciples to abide in His love:

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”

This love is no ordinary love.  It is a love like the love the Father has for Jesus.  In turn, we love Him, because He first loved us.

Therefore, in times of regret, we can claim the promise of Romans 8:28:  that ALL THINGS work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Don’t abide in your regrets.  Abide in His love.

 

 

Posted in Sufficiency of Christ, Sufficiency of Scripture, The Love of God