God, the Father Almighty
We live at a time when there is a fascination with what is new, and a lack of respect for what is old. However, like a good wine, the old can often be better than the new. Last Sunday evening, we began a short series looking at the Apostles’ Creed. In my preparation, I came across a quotation that is so good I wanted to share it with everyone, and in full. I was dipping into a book that is a commentary on the Heidelberg Catechism of 1563 (itself a commentary on the Apostle’s Creed, the Ten Commandments and the Lord’s Prayer). I know what you’re thinking: “The clergy have all the fun!” So, what can we possibly learn from something more than 400 years old commenting on something else at least twelve centuries old? Well, get hold of this – and try and remember some of it for the next time you say the Apostles’ Creed…
Question: “What do you believe when you say, ‘I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth?’”
Answer: “That the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who out of nothing created heaven and earth and everything in them, who still upholds and rules them by His eternal counsel and providence, is my God and Father because of Christ his Son. I trust Him so much that I do not doubt He will provide whatever I need for body and soul, and He will turn to my good whatever adversity He sends me in this sad world. He is able to do this because He is almighty God; He desires to do this because He is a faithful Father.”