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a merciful FatherCreationGratitude

Gratitude: For Who God Is

by Esther Griggs
written by Esther Griggs

Let us express gratitude for who God is as displayed in His creation. In Romans 1, Paul writes, “For since the creation of the world, His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead.” Psalm 19:2 reads, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.” We need only to look to creation to understand who God is. Our hearts overflow with gratitude to our God who demonstrates His mercy, shows His love for us, and acts out His faithfulness through creation.

His Mercy

His mercy is shown in creation. It is above the heavens. David said,” I will sing of the mercies of the LORD forever.” Our merciful God shows mercy to thousands who love Him and keep His commandments. He is longsuffering and abundant in not giving us what we deserve. His mercy endures forever. It is described as great and good. Mercy and forgiveness belong to Him. His mercy is available to our need.

His Love for Us

Through creation we see His love for us in His bountiful provision. We need only the warmth of the sunshine, or see trees laden with various fruits. Additionally, consider the gifts planted within mankind for the care of one another. In His word we learn of His provision to us through the LORD Jesus for Salvation. “In His presence is fullness of joy and at His right hand, pleasures forevermore.”

His Faithfulness

Creation declares His faithfulness. How many times has the sun failed to rise? When did the moon or stars ever hide away? Is there not balance and order? Does He not day by day load us with benefits? Do our eyes behold beauty, or our ears the music of nature? Our merciful, loving and faithful heavenly Father in His faithfulness provides all these things.

By looking to creation, our hearts overflow with gratitude to our God who demonstrates His mercy, shows His love for us, and acts out His faithfulness.

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a merciful FatherAbram: A Life of FaithBiblical History

Joy and Sorrow Collide

by Esther Griggs
written by Esther Griggs

The day was a day of celebration for Abraham and Sarah. Isaac, the long awaited heir had grown and was now weaned. Into this day of rejoicing, however, an old pain resurfaced. Joy and sorrow collided. Ishmael mocked the promised heir, As a result, Abraham suffered a bitter consequence, learned obedience, and found God faithful.

A Bitter Consequence

Sarah was irate. “Get rid of this slave and her son. This slave’s son will not be heir with my son.”

Abraham grieved. The whole matter distressed him. Was it not Sarah’s idea in the first place? Why did God allow it to happen by taking so long to act? Why must I give up my son, my first born son?

Abraham Learned Obedience

Still, God spoke into the situation. “Don’t be displeased because of the lad. Listen to Sarah your wife. Your descendants will come through Isaac. I will make a nation from the slave girl’s son, because he is your descendant.” It hurt. Nevertheless, Abraham obeyed.

God Was Faithful

Hagar lost all hope. Without water, in the desert, she laid her son under a shrub and wandered away. She did not want to see him die. Instead, she screamed and wept.

God heard. “What’s wrong Hagar?” he asked. “Don’t be afraid, God has heard the lad. Lift him up and hold him. I will make him a great nation.”

Then God opened her eyes to see through her angry, bitter tears, the well of water He had provided. It became the water of life for her boy. The scripture reads, “So God was with the lad, and he grew and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer.” Abraham suffered a bitter consequence, learned obedience, and found God faithful.

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a merciful FatherAbram: A Life of FaithBiblical HistoryIntercession

Abraham Intercedes

by Esther Griggs
written by Esther Griggs

After the angel announced Isaac’s birth, they continued their journey to Sodom. At this time the author describes an interaction between the Lord and the angels. The Lord considered whether to reveal His plans to him through whom the nations of all the world will be blessed. His relationship with Abraham is intentional. He is teaching him righteousness and justice so it can be passed down through the generations thus enabling the Father to fulfill His word to him. Thus the Lord communicated His plan to Abraham, Abraham interceded, and the Lord responded.

The Lord’s Plan

A great outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah’s grievous sins, reached heaven. As in the tower of Babel, the Lord came to see how bad it was. While the men continued on, Abraham stood before the Lord for He knew the Lord would judge.

Abraham Intercedes

Abraham worried about Lot’s family and asked, “What if there are fifty righteous, would you destroy it then?” Then he appealed to God’s nature. “You don’t slay the righteous with the wicked as though they were the same, do you?” “Shall not the judge of the whole earth do right?” Then seeing his position before almighty God, he humbly continued his plea, decreasing it to ten righteous people.

The Lord Responds

God continued to listen and responded to Abraham’s requests. “If I find fifty righteous, I will spare it for their sake. If I find forty-five, forty, thirty” all the way down to only ten righteous people, the Lord promised Abraham He would spare the cities.

Abraham’s love motivated his concern, giving him courage to ask. God’s love for Abraham, influenced His response. The Lord communicated His plan to Abraham, Abraham interceded and the Lord responded.

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a merciful FatherAbram: A Life of Faith

A Merciful Father

by Esther Griggs
written by Esther Griggs

In Genesis 16, Abram and Sarai have been ten years in Canaan. God promised an heir. Ten years in a culture where a barren woman is degraded was a long season, especially for Sarai. If God is taking His time, perhaps it is time to do something about it. In this chapter we consider the action taken, the result of the action and see a merciful Father at work.

Hagar at the well

Action Taken

Sarai acted according to the custom of the time. If you are barren, have a child through your maidservant. Abram went along with the plan and Hagar became as a wife to Abram.

Result of the Action

The action resulted in a pregnancy. God could have closed Hagar’s womb as He often did throughout scripture, but God does as He pleases, and Ishmael was born. Sarai, Hagar and Abram became combatants. Conflict became the atmosphere to which Ishmael was born. At one point the conflict caused Hagar to flee.

Merciful Father

Despite the details of the scenario, we see our merciful Father. God intervened. An angel of the LORD spoke to Hagar in her despair, revealing Himself. She called Him, The God who sees. The God who told her about the son she would bear, his name, and his future. He too would be a mighty nation. But, He sent her back to Sarai where the story continued.

In this chapter we considered the action taken, the result of the action and see a merciful Father at work.

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