Many saints live without assurance of God’s promises. They live as if his covenant love is in jeapordy, perhaps they will receive it, or perhaps they will not. Then some, knowing they should have confidence in God’s mercy, proceed to build that confidence upon themselves. But in baptism we have a sign and seal from God. He assures his saints of his covenant grace with this water. He tangibly marks them off as his own, saying to them, “You are mine, you’re one with my Son, with sins forgiven, and a new life in front of you marked by grace and mercy.”