Throughout Scripture, humanity repeatedly falls into sin, from Adam and Eve in the Garden to Israel and its kings, individuals and nations are seen to be totally depraved, following a consistent pattern of sin, and under the curse of sin, shame, exile, and death. The only hope for mankind's redemption is found in the gracious promise of coming Seed of the woman who will bear the curse, crush the serpent, bring true and lasting return from exile, and restore man to right relationship with God.

At the coming of the Covenant God, creation itself will tremble, and the city of man will be crushed under the weight of divine judgment, but His redeemed people will rejoice in the glory and grace of Zion's Great Champion.

The doctrine of the Assurance of Salvation is founded on the objective work of Christ in the Gospel, as applied to the individual believer by the Holy Spirit. Assurance is possible when our focus is on Christ's finished work, not our emotions. And assurance should always bear the fruit of humility and holiness.

God humbles the proud to display the glory of His salvation. He redeems what He has broken and sanctifies it, transforming idolatrous and self-centered Gentiles into a holy nation devoted to Christ's glory in His church.

Human strength, self-reliance, and even faithful leaders all fail to provide true and lasting security and hope. Christ is the only secure peg on which to hang all our hopes and cares.

The world offers temporary comfort to relieve the suffering and trials of this life. But only by turning to Christ, the eternal Light, can we find lasting refuge from the darkness of fear, loss, and human frailty.