26. What do you believe when you say: 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 in them is,^[1] who likewise upholds, and governs the same by His eternal counsel and providence,^[2] is for the sake of Christ, His Son, my God and my Father,^[3] in whom I so trust as to have no doubt that He will provide me with all things necessary for body and soul;^[4] and further, that whatever evil He sends upon me in this troubled life, He will turn to my good;^[5] for He is able to do it, being Almighty God,^[6] and willing also, being a faithful Father.^[7]

^[1]Gen. 1:31; Ps. 33:6; *Col. 1:16; *Heb. 11:3. ^[2]Ps. 104:2-5; Mt. 10:30; Heb. 1:3; Ps. 115:3; *Acts 17:24-25. ^[3]Jn. 1:12; Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:5-7; Eph. 1:5; *Eph. 3:14-16; *Mt. 6:8. ^[4]Ps. 55:22; Mt. 6:25-26; Lk. 12:22-24; Ps. 90:1-2. ^[5]Rom. 8:28; *Acts 17:27-28. ^[6]Rom. 10:12. ^[7]Mt. 7:9-11; *Num. 23:19.