Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

 ²⁷  for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came forth from the Father.

 ²⁸  “I came forth from the Father and have come into the world;  I am leaving the world again and going to the Father.”  John 16:25-28.

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We may tend to think that God the Father is the strict and judgmental One and that Jesus, the Son of God, is the loving and merciful One.  But, we are reminded in today’s Scripture that God the Father Himself loves us and from His own desire gladly provides for us.

Here is what The Heidelberg Catechism instructs us about our loving and faithful Father (with emphasis added in bold italic font).

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.

Question 27.  What dost thou mean by the providence of God?

Answer.  The almighty and everywhere present power of God;  whereby, as it were by his hand, he upholds and governs heaven, earth, and all creatures; so that herbs and grass, rain and drought, fruitful and barren years, meat and drink, health and sickness, riches and poverty, yea, and all things come, not by chance, but by his fatherly hand.

Question 28.  What advantage is it to us to know that God has created, and by his providence doth still uphold all things? 

Answer.  That we may be patient in adversity; thankful in prosperity;  and that in all things, which may hereafter befall us, we place our firm trust in our faithful God and Father, that nothing shall separate us from his love;  since all creatures are so in his hand, that without his will they cannot so much as move.

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“Ask, and it will be given to you;  seek, and you will find;  knock, and it will be opened to you.  “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.  “Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone?  “Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he?  “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!”  Matthew 7:7-11. 

Luke 12:32
“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.”