A Heartfelt Apology
I have had to apologize many times in my life. I used to think an apology was a sign of weakness. I have since learned that it is actually a sign of strength – especially if is heartfelt and real. I’ve definitely been the recipient of a hollow apology. I’ve also been the giver of a hollow or fake apology. For the most part, an apology is simply words. If it is not backed up by action, it is hollow or fake. If I apologize to my wife for something hurtful I said or did, then turn around an do the same thing or something similar again, it was simply hollow words. A sincere apology can mend broken relationships and strengthen all relationships. I think an apology is taking ownership of a mistake or mishap. I think an apology is admitting I goofed up.
Saul was on the hunt for David once again. He was told that David was in hill country of Hakilah. So Saul takes 3000 men to hunt for David. He camps near where David and his men are hiding. David and one of his men sneak into Saul’s camp and get his spear and his water jug. He could have obviously killed Saul and quickly escaped, but he didn’t want to break a principle he believed in. He didn’t want to harm the “Lord’s anointed”. He then gets a safe distance away and awakens the camp and calls out the people who should have defended Saul. Saul then offers an apology. Check this out…
21 Then Saul confessed, “I have sinned. Come back home, my son, and I will no longer try to harm you, for you valued my life today. I have been a fool and very, very wrong.”
22 “Here is your spear, O king,” David replied. “Let one of your young men come over and get it. 23 The Lord gives his own reward for doing good and for being loyal, and I refused to kill you even when the Lord placed you in my power, for you are the Lord’s anointed one. 24 Now may the Lord value my life, even as I have valued yours today. May he rescue me from all my troubles.”
25 And Saul said to David, “Blessings on you, my son David. You will do many heroic deeds, and you will surely succeed.” Then David went away, and Saul returned home. (1 Samuel 26:21-25 NLT)
The true measure of an apology is what happens after the apology. I don’t think it would have been wise for David to trust Saul right away. The old idiom, “Actions speak louder than words” applies here. I think David had a clear understanding of who he was up against.
I want to be careful when making apologies – I want to make sure they are sincere, not just words that the other person wants to hear.
I want to back up my apologies with actions that reflect the depth of my words.
I feel like I should apologize to the Lord quite often, because I don’t mean for my words to Him to be hollow. I certainly identify with Paul in New Testament in his struggle with doing right. Check this out…
14 So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. 15 I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. 16 But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. 17 So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. (Romans 7:14-17 NLT)
I’m sure thankful for the grace of God and the grace of people that I’ve harmed. I’ve been blessed with more than I deserve and I’m profoundly grateful and humbled. I have deep gratitude in my heart for the Lord’s forgiveness and His patience. He has been the recipient of more hollow apologies than I can count. He still loves me. He still forgives me. He still welcomes me home.
Pressing On!
Dwayne