[One of the most striking differences between Reformed people in the sixteenth and twenty-first centuries comes across clearly in Lord's Day 10. When it comes to God's power, we focus on predestination; they focused on providence. We use the doctrine dogmatically; they used it pastorally. For Heidelberg, the "almighty and ever-present power of God" is a source of comfort: if nothing happens by chance, but all things come from his fatherly hand, then it provokes patience in the bad, thankfulness for the good, and hope for the future. Although, for the writers of the Catechism, God's sovereignty no doubt extends into the eternal destinies of humans, that is not their focus here.

On a related note, notice how clearly Heidelberg talks about the fact that prosperity and poverty, rain and drought, come from God - yet always with the purpose of good. If, like someone I was talking to last week, that makes you wonder how you can pray for freedom from persecution or sickness when it turns out they might be from God, then have a look at Hebrews 12:3-11 or 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. We pray in accordance with what God has revealed, but acknowledge the possibility of mystery. And through it all, God will be good to us.]