Psalm 51:4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge.
“It’s never too late to apologize.”
It is never too late to say, “I’m sorry”. Apology has the power to repair broken hearts and mend fragmented relationships. Psychological research suggests that apology and empathy are closely associated and that apologies might increase activation of empathy related areas of the brain. Apology is the antidote to anger. It has the power to humble even the arrogant and astringent.
King David fell from the steeple into dreadful sin. One sin led to another. Seduction led to abduction and then to adultery. He then plotted and killed Bathsheba’s husband to hide the smirch. After devouring what was not his, King David was apathetic towards his action. There was no remorse or repentance. But the thing David had done displeased the LORD (2 Samuel 11:27b). There are people who get what they want by hook or crook, bribe or bigotry yet are callous about their sinful deeds. Any variation to the Word displeases the Lord. David not only sinned against Uriah, the husband of Bathsheba but more so, he sinned against the Lord. The Lord sent a prophet to rebuke and reprimand David. Why did you despise the word of the Lord by doing what is evil in his eyes? (1 Samuel 12:9a). David had already fallen into infidelity and brutality. The crime was committed and concealed, yet, when the Lord reprimanded him, the great king humbled himself and lamented for his wickedness. It’s never too late to ask for forgiveness.
Any harm caused by words or actions hurts God before it wounds the people created in His image. It can be covered from the public but not from God. Those who are first to apologize are winners in God’s eyes. So, humbling and apologizing to our spouse, friends or family is not a defeat but a victory.
It’s never too late to apologize:
- Apathetic: Understand before reacting. One of the greatest barriers that stops people from apologizing is arrogance and apathy. Before exploding in rage, stop and analyze the other side of the coin. All issues have another side that must be investigated before judged. Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding (Proverbs 3:13). Understanding changes apathy to apology.
- Sympathetic: Sympathy involves understanding from your own perspective. Feeling sorry about someone or something is not helpful. Being remorseful, moody or upset about something that we have done or about a situation only accentuates hurt, it doesn’t alleviate pain. Sympathy should turn into sorry.
- Empathetic: Empathy involves putting yourself in the other person’s shoes. Prophet Nathan wisely put the king into the shoes of the deceased soldier Uriah (husband of Bathsheba) that activated the empathetic area of David’s brain. The repentant King could not apologize to the dead sergeant (Uriah) but expressed his empathy in the stupendous, sapid Psalm 51 to the Lord. Empathy is expressed as compassion or confession.
It’s never too late to say sorry.
Psalm 51:10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Prayer: Father of Forgiveness, may I be quick to forgive, repent and apologize. Give me an empathetic and compassionate heart. Amen.
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