Fredrick the Elector ruled over part of Germany inhabited by both Lutherans and Calvinists. In an attempt to develop a common faith language, in 1563 he appointed a 28-year old professor and a 26-year old pastor to write what we now call The Heidelberg Catechism. Let me share two questions from the catechism.
 
Q1.) What is your only comfort, in life and in death? 

A. That I belong--body and soul, in life and in death--not to myself but to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ, who at the cost of his own blood has fully paid for my sins and has completely freed me from the dominion of the devil; that he protects me so well that without the will of my Father in heaven not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, that everything must fit his purpose for my salvation. Therefore, by his Holy Spirit, he also assures me of eternal life, and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him.

 

Q26.) What do you believe when you say: "I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth?" 

A. That the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who out of nothing created heaven and earth and all that is in them, who also upholds and governs them by his eternal counsel and providence, is for the sake of Christ his Son, my God and my Father. I trust him so completely that I have no doubt that he will provide me with all things necessary for body and soul. Moreover, whatever evil he sends upon me in this troubled life he will turn to my good, for he is able to do it, being almighty God, and is determined to do it, being a faithful Father.

 

May we also 'trust so completely,'