The Beauty Of Lovingkindness
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin ArticlesIn Psalm 103:1,4-5, David declared, “Bless the LORD, O my soul….who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies, who satisfieth thy mouth with good things.”
According to Vine’s Expository Dictionary Of Old and New Testament Words, pg. 142-143, the Hebrew word, “hesed” means “loving-kindness; steadfast love; grace; mercy; faithfulness; goodness; devotion.” This word is used 240 times in the Old Testament, and is especially frequent in the Psalter. The term is one of the most important in the vocabulary of Old Testament theology and ethics. In general, one may identify three basic meanings of the word, which always interact: “strength,” “steadfastness,” and “love.” Any understanding of the word that fails to suggest all three inevitably loses some of its richness.
Biblical usage frequently speaks of someone “doing,” “showing,” or “keeping” lovingkindness. The concrete content of the word is especially evident when it is used in the plural. God’s “mercies,” “kindnesses”, or “faithfulnesses” are His specific, concrete acts of redemption in fulfillment of His promise. An example appears in Isaiah 55:3: “…And I will make an everlasting covennant with you even the sure mercies of David” (cf. Isaiah 54:8; Isaiah 61:8; Jeremiah 31:3; Jeremiah 32:40).
Lovingkindness Illustrated
A teacher once asked her pupils to tell the meaning of lovingkindness. A little boy jumped up and said, “Well, if I was hungry and someone gave me a piece of bread that would be kindness. But if they were to put a little jam on it, that would be loving-kindness.”
Lovingkindness Applied
Money can build a charming house BUT
Love can furnish it with the feeling of home.
Duty can pack an adequate sack lunch BUT
Love would decide to tuck a little love note inside.
Money can buy a television set BUT
Love controls how much it is watched, and what is watched.
Obligation sends a child to bed on time BUT
Love tucks the covers in just right and passes out kisses and hugs.
Obligation can cook a meal BUT
Love embelishes the table with a potted ivy trailing around slender candles.
Duty writes letters to a child at camp BUT
Love tucks a joke or a picture or a fresh stick of gum inside.
Compulsion keeps a sparkling house BUT
Love and prayer produce a happy family.
Duty is easily offended if it isn’t appreciated BUT
Love learns to laugh and to work for the sheer joy of doing, giving and contributing.
Obligation can pour a glass of milk BUT
Love adds a little chocolate to it.
Conclusion
Love is always the “icing” that transforms the ordinary into the truly delightful! Won’t you please add a “big dose” of lovingkindness (steadfast love) to whatever you do today and with whom you come in contact with! The Psalmist did (Psalm 89:1; Psalm 92:1-2) and the Lord did (Jeremiah 32:18; cf. Exodus 20:6; Exodus 34:7; Deuteronomy 5:10; Deuteronomy 7:9; Daniel 9:4).