Question 26

What believest thou when thou sayest, “I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth”?

That the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (who of nothing made heaven and earth, with all that is in them;⁷³⁷³    Gen. 1, 2; Job 33:4; Job 38, 39; Ps. 33:6; Acts 4:24; Acts 14:15; Isa. 45:7. who likewise upholds and governs the same by his eternal counsel and providence)⁷⁴⁷⁴    Matt. 10:29; Heb. 1:3; Ps. 104:27–30; Ps. 115:3; Matt. 10:29; Eph. 1:11. is for the sake of Christ his Son, my God and my Father;⁷⁵⁷⁵    John 1:12; Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:5–7; Eph. 1:5. on whom I rely so entirely, that I have no doubt, but he will provide me with all things necessary for soul and body⁷⁶⁷⁶    Ps. 55:23; Matt. 6:25, 26; Luke 12:22. and further, that he will make whatever evils he sends upon me, in this valley of tears turn out to my advantage;⁷⁷⁷⁷    Rom. 8:28. for he is able to do it, being Almighty God,⁷⁸⁷⁸    Rom. 10:12; Luke 12:22; Rom. 8:23; Isa. 46:4; Rom. 10:12. and willing, being a faithful Father.⁷⁹⁷⁹    Matt. 6:25–34; Matt. 7:9–11.