Regret or No Regrets

Scripture

He {Jehoram} was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years; and he departed with no one’s regret, and they buried him in the city of David, but not in the tombs of the kings.

~2 Chronicles 21:20, NASB

Quote

Its better to look ahead and prepare than to look back and regret.

~J.J. Kersee

It is normally scripture that sparks a blog thought but sometime I begin with a thought and then look for scripture. The word ‘regret’ is used only 3 times in the NLT and four in the NASB. I usually read a verse twice or three times because I am prone to see things that are not there. When I read this verse the first time, this is what I saw, He reigned in Jerusalem eight years; and he departed with no regrets.I thought, WOW, how could I have missed this verse and who is this man that has no regrets? Then I read it a second time and saw a word I had missed,  “He reigned in Jerusalem eight years; and he departed with no one’s regret.” No one had any regrets about Jehoram’s death: in other words, they were glad he was dead. Jehoram is the only King who followed two good kings. Jehoshaphat was his father and Asa was his grandfather but Jehoram was enamored with Ahab the wicked king of Israel and he married Ahab and Jezebel’s daughter Athaliah who was one of the most wicked women in the bible. As soon as Jehoram became king, he had all six of his brothers executed and all were better men than he. I am fairly certain it was Athaliah’s idea to purge the house. Jehoram was so sorry, they did not bury him in the Royal Cemetery where his father and grandfather were buried.


Regret is a type of sorrow and it is usually related to a poor choice, unkind word, or bad deed. It is something in our past that we cannot change. I regret not serving in the military. I had the opportunity but talked myself out of it. I was 40 years old when I heard the National Guard needed Chaplins. When I talked to the recruiter, he said, “Sorry, Mr. Bailey, you are too old. The cut off is age 39.” I never had any regrets about serving until he told me it was too late–then the regret set in. Unfortunately for me, that is not my only regret. I have many others that trouble me. I had one that woke me up practically everyday for 45 years. I know you don’t want to hear my story so I will just sum it all up by saying, “I have made some stupid mistakes by not listening and I have made many others out of pure ignorance.” One thing that makes some of these regret worse for me is that I ignored good advice.


Regret is like sins, we all have them. No one other than Jesus could have died without some regrets. Prideful people may not confess their regrets any more than they do sin but everyone has regrets. I think some of us have more than others but every one is bound to have some regret. Judas died from deep regret. Peter’s regrets were so heavy and so laden with shame that he thought about returning to his old life. Jesus spent a day with him and changed his mind. We all have regrets but that is no excuse for throwing in the towel. So what is the solution? Generally speaking, the solution is Jesus: specifically it is heaven. I may carry these regrets to my grave but not beyond and that calls for a Hallelujah!


God is good! We are blessed by his grace and goodness. I worked yesterday and did not make any visits but I will be checking on Ruth and Joyce again today.


We have a little something extra for the 80 and up this Sunday if I don’t forget to do it. Remember, the lunch is for everyone but it is not free. I think tonight is the deadline on ordering a ticket.


GOLDEN GIRLS does not meet this Saturday because June and I plan to go to Eva’s graduation in Mobile. We will meet on the 13th which is MOTHERS DAY weekend.


I listen to Michael W. Smith every Sunday morning as I go after biscuits and donuts. I accidentally came to this video last Sunday morning: it is a great tributes to Dad’s and Mom’s. His emphasis is on the incredible love of the HEAVENLY FATHER. I don’t normally like talking singers but you will be blessed by this talk. I agree with him on Luke 15 or he agrees with me.

https://youtu.be/p7Lpk-_y0BY?list=PLzUXyPM8p0bWNg9rQmVNRmu3PpIMfINae

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