THE ANGELS MERCY AND COMPASSION

 

 

Last month I shared an experience that broke off quickly due to a visiting pastor’s counseling needs. That occurred on June 21st, 2006, (ten years ago.) On June 23rd, 2006 I was in the same location and had a long conversation with the Lord about “counsel”. I felt that the Lord needed to release the Spirit of Counsel on Prayer Mountain for those who came seeking guidance.

To my surprise He said, “No”.

“No?” I barely breathed-out, for I was stunned.

The Lord then added that this might prove to be dangerous. “With such a gift freely given,” He said, “people who lack Godly wisdom would be anointed to counsel any manner of fleshly guidance.”

“For what may I ask, my Lord?” I inquired.

“Ask for a SPIRIT OF MERCY and a SPIRIT OF COMPASSION,” He replied.

Immediately, I asked for these. “I ask that these be released to add to Your presence and glory. In Your Word, mercy and compassion were proclaimed by You to be the outworking of Your goodness. Let all Your goodness, not only pass before those who come here; but allow Your goodness to settle down and reside in this chosen place.”

The Lord spoke: “MERCY and COMPASSION will dwell within My glory here. My goodness will be experienced by all who come. ‘Taste and see that the Lord is good; how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!’ ”

The Lord quoted this from Psalm 34. “ ‘O taste and see that the Lord is good…’ will be the answer given to the questions about this place – for all will taste and see.”

The angels Mercy and Compassion materialized as the Lord spoke. His glory washed over the ridge of Prayer Mountain.

He had given a much better gift. Praise Him.

NOTES:

When the Lord says “No,” to a request, he always provides something better. The Spirit of Counsel is an attribute of our God – but mercy and compassion are, (according to the Lord Himself) the essence of His goodness . . . and He equates His goodness with His glory.

Exodus 33:18 & 19

Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.”

And the LORD said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. NIV

Romans 9:15

For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” NIV

We do not grasp the full meaning of the statement made by God Himself because the English words do not equal the total meaning of the Greek.

In Romans 9:15 the Greek word, eleco, comes from the prime root eleos, which is usually translated “mercy”. The word means to have an active compassion or graciousness. This active compassion denotes an attitude that arises out of a mutual relationship, such as between parents and children or brothers and sisters.

Because of the relationship, each can expect faithfulness and trust between the parties. Therefore God’s own statement implies active compassion toward those with whom He has a relationship.

There is a legal implication within the word “mercy”. Although those cannot claim God’s promised mercy, they can certainly expect it.

To have compassion is oikteiro in Greek, from the word oiktos meaning pity.

The Greek word means, “to show distress at witnessing the misfortunes of others”. It includes a sense of unhappiness for the ills of others – to pity them. The term arises from “inward parts” of the animal sacrifices that were considered the nobler parts, the heart, liver, lungs and kidneys. Later the “inner parts” were expressed by “womb” or “bowels” as the seat of feelings.

However within the word “compassion” there is not the relationship that evokes an active response, such as in the word “mercy”. There is the possibility of a response, but not the active expectation upon the part of the recipients of compassion.

“Mercy” is for those who have entered into a relationship with the Father by choosing to be conformed to the likeness of His Son. “Compassion” is for those who did not so choose.

But His goodness and therefore His glory, is that He deals righteously with all – the saved and the unsaved. He is good.