[2:157] Upon those rest blessings and mercy from their Lord, and those - they are the truly guided.
They attained their patience and their ability to withstand the demands of the divine decree by His prior blessings to them. It was not because of their patience or their endurance that they arrived at His blessings, for if not for His pre-eternal mercy, their obedience would not have arisen through the condition of servitude, for His prior solicitude is what brought pure guidance to them.
They are the truly guided: Because He blessed them in the beginning, they were guided in the end.