141. What is the significance of confessing that God did all of this out of "fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me"?
A. God did not have to create the world. He created it freely, out of love.
Psalm 136:4-9 To Him who alone does great wonders, for His steadfast love endures forever; to Him who by understanding made the heavens, for His steadfast love endures forever; to Him who spread out the earth above the waters, for His steadfast love endures forever; to Him who made the great lights, for His steadfast love endures forever; the sun to rule over the day, for His steadfast love endures forever; the moon and stars to rule over the night, for His steadfast love endures forever.
B. God created each one of us and mercifully sustains us in spite of our sinfulness.
Acts 14:16-17 In past generations He allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. Yet He did not leave Himself without witness, for He did good by giving you rains from Heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.
C. Life in this world remains a good gift even when we feel that life is more of a curse than a gift, more of a burden than a delight, more tearful than joyful.
Habakkuk 3:17-19 Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the LORD, is my strength; He makes my feet like the deer's; He makes me tread on my high places.
Philippians 4:11-13 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Read Jonah 2; Jeremiah 20:18; 31:3, 31-33; and Psalm 13:6.
D. Creation and redemption are bound closely together. It is by God's goodness and mercy that we were created, and it is by God's goodness and mercy that we are made new again in Christ.
Psalm 136:1, 5, 11, 24, 25 Give thanks to the LORD ... who by understanding made the heavens, for His steadfast love endures forever; ... and brought Israel out from among them [the Egyptians], for His steadfast love endures forever; ... and rescued us from our foes, for His steadfast love endures forever; He who gives food to all flesh, for His steadfast love endures forever.
Isaiah 43:1 But now thus says the LORD, He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I ahve called you by name, you are Mine."
Read Psalm 103 and Jeremiah 31:9-12.
Eventual commentary
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