The Heidelberg Catechism (9)

Above this Lord's Day it says, “Of God the Father.” You will recall that this is the first part of the Twelve Articles. Now we have the next question.

Question 26: What believest thou when thou sayest, "I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth?

Answer: That the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (who of nothing made heaven and earth, with all that is in them; who likewise upholds and governs the same by His eternal counsel and providence) is for the sake of Christ His Son, my God and my Father, on whom I rely so entirely, that I have no doubt but He will provide me with all things necessary for soul and body; and further, that He will make whatever evils He sends upon me, in this valley of tears, turn out to my advantage; for He is able to do it, being Almighty God, and willing, being a faithful Father.

The article begins with the words “I believe.” It is therefore about faith, the true, saving faith which can be given in the heart by the Holy Ghost alone. Now the student, who has this faith, gives an answer. He says that he believes that God the Father is the eternal God. God has no beginning, as we do, and no end. He was not born and not created, as we were. God the Father is the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, and therefore the Lord Jesus is the Son of God. The Son was always with the Father, and the Father was never without the Son. The Son is also eternal.

But now the student says, "God the Father is also my God and Father. In former days the devil was my father, but now God is my Father. The Lord Jesus has provided this, for He has delivered me from the power of the devil and from sin. He has paid for all my sins and has made me a child of God by giving me a new birth. Now God is also my Father.

“Indeed, my Father is the Creator of the heaven and the earth. How has He done this? He has brought forth all things from nothing. In the beginning there was nothing. He then said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. It went this way with all that was created. The Lord called forth everything, and it came into existence. You can read of this in Genesis 1 and 2.”

What a mighty God He is; indeed, He is almighty. How wonderfully He has made everything. How great is His wisdom. The sun, the moon, and the stars tell us this, also the animals, the trees, and the plants. It can be seen in the high mountains and in the deep seas. It can be heard in the wind and in the thunder. Look also at your own body. No, man could not make all this, but only the almighty God can do so.

The Lord also upholds all things. You will read what that means in the next Lord's Day.

The student says further, "I trust the Lord just as a child does his father, for He is my Father. He will continue to care for me. That I do not doubt. He provides for my body and soul. He knows best what I need. Sad things may happen in my life, for because of sin the earth has become a vale of tears. Everywhere in the world there is sorrow, pain, and trouble; it is found in every house and in every heart. However, the Lord knows what is good for me.

"Can sad events then be good for me? Yes, they are given so that I do not forget the Lord, and to make me continually need the Lord. My heart remains so evil, and therefore these sad things can be good for me. The Lord permits them to take place, for He knows what is good for me.

"Why do I trust the Lord, even when sorrows come? It is because my Father is almighty. He can always deliver and give help, no matter how difficult things are. An earthly father cannot always help. Therefore it is so necessary that we become a child of the Lord. And that is possible.

“Indeed,” says the student, “my heavenly Father not only can do so, but He is also willing. Earthly fathers, even though they are sinful people, usually desire good for their children. Would not my heavenly Father do so? He does not forget me, for He is faithful, which means that what He has promised, He will do. He has promised to care for His children, and He also does so. That is certain.”

Is that student not privileged? Actually he can never go wrong. It shall be well, because God is His Father. We must seek to have this great blessing of the Lord.

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