"Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the Lord helped me." --- Psalm 118:13.
"Preserved in Jesus Christ, and called." --- Jude 1.
Jesus was in council, undertook our cause, struck hands in the covenant as our Surety, wrought out a righteousness for us; suffered our curse on the tree to redeem us; ever lives, and ever loves, and ever pleads our cause; while he represents our persons before the everlastingly gracious and infinitely just and righteous Jehovah, his Father and our Father, now well pleased with us, and accepted and preserved in the Beloved.
Are these things so? And has the Lord the Spirit, the glorifier of Jesus, enlightened our understandings to see these things, enabled us to believe, and assured our hearts of our own happy share and interest in them? O my soul,stop, reflect, dwell on such wonderful power, marvellous favour, distinguishing love, and appropriated mercy.
Now let all mine enemies exert their utmost power, I will not be afraid. Afflictions, pains, temptations, may await me, waves and storms may go over my head, Satan may sift me as wheat, the waters of death may prove bitter to my taste, yet I will not be discouraged; He that died for me will take care of me; He that pardon my aggravated offences will heal my infirmities; He that knew the power of temptation will support and deliver me out of all. This I believe; Lord, help my unbelief.
The wisdom, the power, the love, the promise, the covenant, and the oath of Jehovah, stand all engaged for the preservation of a poor, unworthy believer in Jesus. Alleluia!
Why should I fear, though mighty foes
Thrust at me ev'ry day?
The Lord, who offers me his help,
Is stronger much than they.