One difficulty with using Luther’s explanation of the First Article of the Apostles’ Creed is that God in His divine wisdom may choose not to provide a number of the things that Luther lists there. Indeed, the Lord both gives and takes away as He wills (Job 1:21), constrained only by His own promises.

Might we foster gratitude for our material blessings using the First Article without relying on any particular depiction of health, prosperity and domestic fulfillment? Here’s my attempt:

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.

What does this mean?

I believe that God made the entire universe of which I am a part,
and that He has given me my body and soul and all my abilities.

Because God loves me and has power over all that He has made,
I can always look to Him to provide food, clothing and shelter,
people who care about me, strength to endure illness and injury,
and everything else that I need to support this body and life
for as long as He has appointed my days.

Whatever I have that is of genuine benefit
God has supplied not because I deserve it,
but because of His own divine goodness and mercy.
So however little or much I possess according to His purposes,
I have ample reason to respond with sincere gratitude —
thanking and praising God, obeying Him,
and using His gifts to help other people.

This is most certainly true.

And when the material world that I now inhabit comes to its end,
God will establish a new heaven and a new earth
and restore to me my body, made perfect.
With all hardships ceased and every need fully satisfied,
I will dwell in the presence of His glory and majesty forever.

Amen.