By Olubunmi Adebayo
*If you are given the chance to rewind the clock of time, such that you become young again, what would you have done differently in the passage of time?*
*This is a deep issue requiring some sombering reflections from everyone of us.*
*Looking back at our lives today, there are several things we wish we could have done differently, and rightly so.*
*Let’s consider the following scenarios for example :*
*i) To the 10 big brothers of Joseph, it was their regret for hating and selling off their younger brother into slavery.*
*Please read about the account :*
*Genesis 50: [15] And when Joseph’s brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him.*
*[16]And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying,*
*[17]So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him.*
*[18]And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants.*
*You will see clearly here, regret and remorsefullness in the actions of the brothers of Joseph.*
*Therefore, be careful not to do wickedly against the next fellow. There is a God who can make sure you regret your evil and negative actions.*
*ii) What about King Saul who left the business of leading a whole nation to pursue after a small innocent boy across mountains and valleys of Israel and into foreign lands – a boy who came to rescue his nation from the shameful embarrassment of a giant the king and the army of Israel could not stand up to for a whole 40 days:*
*1 Samuel 26: [17] And Saul knew David’s voice, and said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And David said, It is my voice, my lord, O king.*
*[18]And he said, Wherefore doth my lord thus pursue after his servant? for what have I done? or what evil is in mine hand?*
*[19]Now therefore, I pray thee, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If the LORD have stirred thee up against me, let him accept an offering: but if they be the children of men, cursed be they before the LORD; for they have driven me out this day from abiding in the inheritance of the LORD, saying, Go, serve other gods.*
*[20]Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth before the face of the LORD: for the king of Israel is come out to seek a flea, as when one doth hunt a partridge in the mountains.*
*3[21]Then said Saul, _I have sinned: return, my son David: for I will no more do thee harm, because my soul was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly_.*
*Please note that our daily life activities must be guided by the best of altruistic principles of relating with others.*
*Hear Apostle Paul’s admonition to us all:*
*Philippians 4: [8] Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.*
*Some people had refrained from helping their neighbours to move up in life, even when the power to accomplish such exists within their means. Today they stand regretting it when the tide has turned, and such people have become their source of survival.*
*Refusing to lend a hand to a needy fellow around you could end up becoming your regrettable action later.*
*This is why we are being admonished that we should weigh our actions carefully, so that there are no reasons for regrets tomorrow.*
Top of the day to you.
©️ Olubunmi S Adebayo.
