Courage in the face of persecution

Mark 14:71  "He began to call down curses on himself, and he swore to them, 'I don't know this man you are talking about.' "

Peter's response to the accusation that he was a follower of Jesus fulfilled Jesus' prediction that Peter would disown Him three times.  In talking with Jesus face to face, Peter denied that this could happen.  He boldly stated that even if the others fell away, he would not.  And then, in the moment of truth, Peter denied Jesus just as He said he would.

It is easy for us to walk around with the same level of confidence in our love and acknowledgment of Jesus that Peter had.  We live in a country where we are free to proclaim Jesus.  We do not face the threat of persecution and our government will not come against us for our Christian beliefs.  If you believe otherwise about our government, go spend some time in a place where Christians are truly persecuted and are constantly in hiding for fear of imprisonment or death, and remind yourself how easy we have it here. 

How would you react in the face of persecution?  Would you proclaim Jesus as your Lord and Savior if it meant imprisonment or physical harm?  I hope I would.  But like Peter, you never really know until you are in the situation.