EXOD239 One must remember the lovingkindness of Hashem in rescuing him from the world's calamities. He sees many men perishing under terrible affliction--through hunger, thirst, poison, leprosy, by the sword, by water, and by fire – – and he knows within himself that he is deserving of all these afflictions because of his many transgressions whereby he violated God's mandates. But in spite of his being absolutely wicked, the Blessed God has shown mercy on him and rescued him from all these afflictions. And he should know how humble he should be before his Creator and ask pardon every day on all occasions, and be heedful of His service and His praise, and implore Him to guard him against all of the afflictions that descend upon the world, as it is written [this verse]: "If you hear the voice of Hashem your God... all of the sicknesses which I brought upon Egypt I will not bring upon you, for I am Hashem Who heals you." (Devarim 7:15): And Hashem will remove from you every sickness, and all the terrible afflictions of Egypt which you knew, He will not bring upon you." And our Rabbis of blessed memory have said (Berachos 33a): "It is not the serpent, but the sin, that slays."