“But go to the king of Judah who sent you to seek the Lord and tell him: ‘This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says concerning the message you have just heard: You were sorry and humbled yourself before God when you heard his words against this city and its people. You humbled yourself and tore your clothing in despair and wept before me in repentance. And I have indeed heard you, says the Lord…’” The king took his place of authority beside the pillar and renewed the covenant in the Lord’s presence. He pledged to obey the Lord by keeping all his commands, laws, and decrees with all his heart and soul. He promised to obey all the terms of the covenant that were written in the scroll. 

(2 Chronicles 34:26-27, 31 NLT)

About six years ago, a song called “Sorry Not Sorry” swept across the nation, especially through the younger generations. The title tells you everything you need to know about the song. It is obvious that the artist is emphasizing just how much they don’t care that they’re being insincere. In fact, they almost seem proud of the fact that they are not truly sorry. 

When Huldah the prophet is consulted by King Josiah, she replies, “Go to the king of Judah who sent you to seek the Lord and tell him: ‘This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says concerning the message you have just heard: You were sorry and humbled yourself before God when you heard his words against this city and its people.’” 

Saying sorry is difficult, but it is necessary to allow someone to forgive you (or vice versa). When you say sorry, hopefully, it is said with the utmost sincerity. Unfortunately, all of us fall prey to “empty sorries,” or saying sorry when we’re really not sorry at all. This does not open a path for mutual forgiveness. Rather, it can end up tearing apart relationships, as a layer of trust is broken.

Part of being sorry is being humble enough to realize that you may have made a mistake. Huldah sends a message from God saying just this! King Josiah listened to the message that Huldah had sent to him, and later in the chapter, we read that he followed the orders, and as a result, his people did not turn away from God for the rest of their lifetimes (vs. 33). King Josiah was apologizing to God on behalf of his own people. He wept, tore his clothes, and repented, all for the sake of the people that God ordered him to rule over. Not every apology will take years, but it was in King Josiah’s sincerity and humility that we can learn from.

Saying sorry isn’t just the act of mumbling the words, “I’m sorry”: it is humbly meaning what you said with your whole heart, so as to keep a relationship strong. Is there someone you need to really say sorry to today? Maybe a family member, friend, or even God?