Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda

There's a saying people use when referring to past events they regret:  "shoulda, woulda, coulda."  It is a way to dismiss what has happened in the past because there is no going back and doing things over.  Lamenting how life could have been better if different choices were made is in itself a pointless exercise that can lead to despair.  When we acknowledge our mistakes and learn from them going forward, that is when feelings of regret can be a personal boon.

It is one thing when a person says something in the past should have been done differently, and how much more accurate is God's judgments in all matters!  God has great plans to deliver and save His people, yet our choices can hinder Him from doing all He should, would and could do.  Consider Psalm 81:13-16 in the KJV (bold emphasis mine):  "Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways! ¹⁴ I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned my hand against their adversaries. ¹⁵ The haters of the LORD should have submitted themselves unto him: but their time should have endured for ever. ¹⁶ He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee."  God had all sorts of plans to deliver and prosper His people.  Because they would not do what they should, God did not do all He would have done had they listened to Him and walked in His ways.

To know what a person should have done is not as important as actually doing it.  Doubt of God's ability to help or provide for His people should never be entertained, for He has all power and only does miraculous things.  Better than lamenting what God should or could have done in the past is to seek the LORD today, heed His word and follow Him in obedience.  He knows the enemies we face and has the power to overcome them.  He also knows when we hinder His plans as a consequence of our disobedience and self-confidence.  I wonder:  how many good things God should, could and would have done but did not because of our refusal to listen, trust or obey Him!

The blessed part of God's lament over His erring people is there is an opportunity for us today by God's grace to positively impact our future by following Jesus Christ in faith.  The things God "should" but has not yet done are things God will do in our future by His grace in His time.  We are greatly comforted, not that our lives will be better or our circumstances shall improve in the future, but we know and serve an awesome, gracious and faithful God today Who leads, delivers, speaks and saves now and always.