According to one research study, women apologize more than men do, but the reason may surprise you. Women apologize more because they believe they offend more. The study showed that when men believe they have offended, they apologize at the same rate women do. Admitting guilt is hard, but it is the first step toward reconciliation. That is true among people. It is especially true before God. King Solomon knew this. That is why in his prayer dedicating the newly built temple in Jerusalem, he stressed that people should confess their guilt when they violate God’s word. We read in 1 Kings, chapter 8, a portion of his prayer for his nation. “If your people are defeated by their enemies because they have sinned against you, and if they turn to you and acknowledge your name and pray to you here in this temple, then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your people.” Solomon realized that plagues, diseases, locusts, or enemies might come upon his nation. If any did, and the people admitted their disobedience, He asked God to forgive their failures and heal their land. That same principle is true with God’s people today. When we humble ourselves, admit our wrong, and come to God on the merits of God’s Son, God forgives us. Of course, the foolish choices we have made may have consequences, but God will restore our relationship with Him.
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