The Heidelberg Catechism (1563) What is your only comfort in life and in death?
That I am not my own, but belong— body and soul, in life and in death— to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood, and has set me free from the tyranny of the devil. He also watches over me in such a way that not a hair can fall from my head without the will of my Father in heaven; In fact, all things must work together for my salvation. Because I belong to him, Christ, by his Holy Spirit, assures me of eternal life and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him.
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This is My Father’s World (1901, Maltbie D. Babcock)
This is my Father's world, And to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings The music of the spheres.
This is my Father's world: I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas-- His hand the wonders wrought.
This is my Father's world: The birds their carols raise, The morning light, the lily white, Declare their Maker's praise.
This is my Father's world: He shines in all that's fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass, He speaks to me everywhere.
This is my Father's world: O let me ne'er forget That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the Ruler yet.
This is my Father's world: Why should my heart be sad? The Lord is King: let the heavens ring!
God reigns; let earth be glad!