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  THY MERCY, 0 LORD, IS IN THE HEAVENS
  by John Calvin
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Summary: In the midst of a world filled with wickedness, we must elevate
our thoughts to the contemplation of God's secret providence and
remember that the world is full of God's goodness and righteousness.

Topics: "Divine Mercy", "Godly Character"
Scripture References: Psalm 36:5, Proverbs 4:23, Romans 12:2, Colossians 3:2, Hebrews 12:2

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John Calvin preaches about the contrast between the depravity of men and
the faithfulness and mercy of God, emphasizing the importance of not
being influenced by the wickedness around us but instead focusing on the
goodness and righteousness of God that governs heaven and earth with
equity. He warns against being contaminated by the malice of others and
encourages maintaining true godliness amidst the confusion and
corruption of the world by fixing our gaze on the secret providence of
God.

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CONTENT
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Thy mercy, 0 Lord, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto
the clouds. --Psalm 36:5

After having spoken of the very great depravity of men, the prophet,
afraid lest he should become infected by it, or be carried away by the
example of the wicked, as by a flood, quits the subject, and recovers
himself by reflecting on a different theme. It usually happens, that in
condemning the wicked, the contagion of their malice insinuates itself
into our minds when we are not conscious of it; and there is scarcely
one in a hundred who, after having complained of the malice of others,
keeps himself in true godliness, pure and unpolluted.

The meaning therefore is: Although we may see among men a sad and
frightful confusion, which, like a great gulf, would swallow up the
minds of the godly, David, nevertheless, maintains that the world is
full of the goodness and righteousness of God, and that he governs
heaven and earth on the strictest principles of equity.

And certainly, whenever the corruption of the world affects our minds,
and fills us with amazement, we must take care not to limit our views to
the wickedness of men, who overturn and confound all things; but in the
midst of this strange confusion it becomes us to elevate our thoughts in
admiration and wonder, to the contemplation of the secret providence of
God. --Commentaries

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/john-calvin/thy-mercy-0-lord-is-in-the-heavens/
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