A confident confession

While I was a youngster at Bethlehem Lutheran School in Saginaw, Michigan, I performed in the musical, Cool in the Furnace.  By performed I mean that, as a member of the highly esteemed chorus, I sang. I had no lines.  I did not play Nebuchadnezzar.  With my feeble, spaghetti-arms, there was no chance I'd be selected to play one of Nebuchadnezzar's mighty men. I sang.

Years later I'm amazed and comforted with the bold conviction and confession of this confident trifecta:

O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up. -Daniel 3:16-18

They didn't stammer or stumble. There was no doubt or apprehension.  Their trust was in a God they knew would deliver them from their hostile and soon-to-be-intense situation. That is  a defense "for a reason for the hope that is in you;" -I Peter 3:15

Christ's atoning sacrifice has redeemed us.  We are forever protected from the fires of satan; our heavenly future is assured and that impacts our earthly existence.  Today we are filled with hope because of God's unconditional grace given to us through His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ.