3. His goodness and mercy is _fatherly_ goodness and mercy. He provides for me and protects me as a _father_ provides for his children and protects them. _"Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him."_ Ps. 103,13. Not only in His Word does God assure us that He is our loving Father, but He daily proves it to us by the blessings He sends us. He has given me my beautiful body and a rational soul, that is, powers to think and understand; He daily provides for everything I need; He is at my side in every danger to defend me; from every evil that comes near me He protects me. Surely _God is my Father._--His goodness and mercy are a _divine_ goodness and mercy, such as only God has and can have, a _perfect_ and _never-failing_ goodness and mercy. My Father is the _Father Almighty,_ who daily will and can provide for and protect His children. _"His compassions fail not. They are new every morning."_ Lam. 3,22.--Therefore I confess: _I believe in God, my almighty Father,_ that is, I do not only know from the Word of God and from the blessings I am daily receiving from Him that the almighty God is my Father, but _with all my heart I trust in Him,_ I confide in Him, I rely on Him as on my true Father. When I am in need, I trust in Him, my Father; He will and can provide for me. When dangers surround me, I trust in Him, my Father; He will and can defend me. When evil seems to come near me, I trust in Him, my Father; He will and can protect me. _To believe in God the Father Almighty means to be fully assured that the almighty God is my Father, and with all my heart to trust in Him who is my Father for Jesus' sake._