Teary-Eyed

2 Kings 13:4

Then Jehoahaz sought the LORD's favor, and the LORD listened to him, for he saw how severely the king of Aram was oppressing Israel.

‘To weep is to make less the depth of grief’, said Shakespeare. How true! When our hearts cry out loud, surreal calmness indescribably follows. It’s as if our problems found its solution well in fact we haven’t left that corner of the room. How come? According to studies, we have three different types of tears: basal to keep our eyes moist, reflex to protect us from irritants, and emotional tears in response to sadness and pain. The last one is said to contain more manganese and prolactin affecting our temperaments that when we sob, it eliminates the chemical build up, relieves the tension and balances the stress level. But that’s just the physiological benefit. Wikipedia notes that ‘recent psychological theories of crying emphasize the relationship of crying to the experience of perceived helplessness’. ScienceLine on the other hand wrote that expressing sadness can prompt comfort and support. Like how babies call in their parents and how adults bond with grieving family members. By simple connect-the-dots, now we know why crying can really manipulate a response.

In verse seven of today’s chapter, we read of Israel’s army reduced to fifty horsemen, ten chariots and ten thousand foot soldiers. Compare that to David’s one million and one hundred able-bodied men (plus four hundred seventy thousand in Judah) and Solomon’s twelve thousand horses and fourteen hundred chariots - - it was depressingly far from Israel’s glory days.  Hazael really made Jehoahaz’ rule like the dust at threshing time. With their fortified cities burned, Israel did not live in their homes. They were always on the run, hunted to death as prophesied by Elisha. Forget about being the biggest loser and your family feuds, the survivor game tops the helplessness button. Elisha himself wept in front of Hazael when God showed it to him two reigns prior Jehoahaz’. Now imagine being in the middle of it. The cries reached the heavens for sure. But it passed through the palace first. In plenty, this king had the pride to turn his back from God. But now unable to hush the pains of the land, his own included, he humbly resorted to seek the Lord. If helplessness really triggers the tear gland, we can imagine it flooding here. And as designed, we can imagine an autopilot in heaven: tears moving His heart of compassion and the humble surrender prompting His grace. Amazing!

Do you really believe in prayer? Can you really move the hand of God with your tears? Or the world and our lives already written to the dot and we’re just playing the role? When our pastor asked that in our Day of Prayer two weeks ago, he was met with silent stares. We were all juggling our verses and theologies, not in confusion, but more in coming up with a straight line answer. I will not attempt to lay it all down here, but here’s my simple take home: it was God himself who gave the words ask and pray. He is the God of truth. There’s no insincerity in Him and He will in no way mislead us. In omniscience, He knew what we will ask, but as a Father, He delights in that conversation. Two of the earlier accounts of God hearing the hearts cry was that of Hagar and Leah. They were mockers to the wives of Israel’s forefathers. By mercy, He attended to their tears despite their past. By grace, He blessed them regardless of how their sons will mistreat Israel in the future. Imagine the eternal God stepping in time to be their ever-present Help? Amazing grace! That thief on the cross had nothing to offer Jesus. Sin was written on his past and death was his near future. But that second he sought salvation, Jesus promised him paradise! What unconditional love! Now I’m teary-eyed :>