All week long as I have followed the events in Gaza, Iraq, and Syria, my heart has been calling out, “Lord have mercy!” As my country mourns the loss of a man known for his humor, and yes, his kindness; I have prayed God’s mercy for those I know who daily square off against the demon of depression and with great courage, choose life. As my sister and members of my church family endure the next round of chemo…God have mercy!
David prayed for mercy regarding his sins, which were many. Psalm 51:1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love, according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.
Certainly, that is the first vital step to restoring our broken relationship to God, but that has not represented my heart’s cry this week. This description of the Kyrie Eleision (Lord have mercy) as understood from the Greek Orthodox tradition, comes closer to where my heart has been dwelling.
“The word mercy in English is the translation of the Greek word eleos. This word has the same ultimate root as the old Greek word for oil, or more precisely, olive oil; a substance which was used extensively as a soothing agent for bruises and minor wounds. The oil was poured onto the wound and gently massaged in, thus soothing, comforting and making whole the injured part. The Hebrew word, which is also translated as eleos and mercy, is hesed, and means steadfast love. The Greek words for ‘Lord, have mercy,’ are ‘Kyrie, eleison’ that is to say, ‘Lord, soothe me, comfort me, take away my pain, show me your steadfast love.’ Thus mercy does not refer so much to justice or acquittal a very Western interpretation but to the infinite loving-kindness of God, and his compassion for his suffering children!” (Kyrie Eleison to read more.)
Jesus loves the little children; we used to sing in Sunday school. ALL the children of the world! I firmly believe that every child who loses their life here on earth is instantly taken into the loving arms of the Father God.
Matthew 18:10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.”
2 Samuel 12:23 “But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.”
Still those left behind with aching arms are in desperate need of that soothing oil of mercy. How can this mercy be poured out then in these remote places of the world and even to those in darkness around us who do not know of the Father God who loves them?
We who know the way, must go to the source of mercy: Hebrew 4:16 “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
We must be filled with mercy and grace like a treasure carried in a jar of clay: 2 Corinthians 4:7 “But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.”
We then have a God-given responsibility to pour out that mercy to others: James 2, “8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well… 12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. 13 For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”
Practically speaking, I cannot go and rescue all the children in harm’s way around the world. I can pray however for mercy to be extended to them from whatever means God can use! I can start much closer to home giving mercy and not judgment to my family, neighbors, church community and especially to that person from another part of the world that God has brought to my doorstep so that He can love them through me.