While admonishing the British Empire about pride, poet Rudyard Kipling spoke of a humble and contrite heart as an “ancient sacrifice.” He might have been referring to King David’s words found in Psalm 51. “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”

Although saying “I’m sorry” is a good place to start when you do something wrong, brokenness and contrition go much deeper than that. Simple words have no meaning if they’re not backed up by a genuine desire to change. Such change is what the Bible calls repentance.

God’s mercy flows toward penitent people who are willing to say, “I’m truly sorry and want to change!”

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“Every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.”

Romans 8:28 MSG