The people cannot take credit for this liberation. No prayers recited, no good deeds done have earned pleasure from God. We live in an exile caused by our sin and we cannot find or make our way back. God sees our situation, and takes the initiative to wipe out our offense and bring us home. You hear young people exclaim it when something goes very right for them.
People leap into the air and hit each other's hands.
Something terrific has happened and we are on the winning side. But he is not boasting about his or our accomplishments but about what God has done for us in Jesus. God's fidelity, promised to our ancestors, was fulfilled and affirmed for us in the life of Christ. God has come down on our side and Jesus is the constant reminder to us of God's predisposition towards us. It is like a down payment that pays part of the price for something in advance and then requires a later payment in full.