In the Differences Between the Lotus School and Other Schools Such as the Mantra School (Shingon Shoshū Imoku) Nichiren wrote a clear and concise statement about his belief that he had both expiated his past misdeeds and received divine protection:

The sun and moon are clear mirrors shining on all the worlds in the universe, but do they know about Nichiren? I am sure that they know me. So, we should not doubt or worry about the protection of various heavenly beings. Nevertheless, I, Nichiren, have been persecuted because the sins that I committed in my past lives have not been completely eradicated. As I have been exiled because of my faith in the Lotus Sūtra, some of my sins may have been atoned so the Buddha may protect me under his robe. It was the protection of the Buddha that saved me from near death at Tatsunokuchi at midnight on the twelfth of the ninth month last year.

Grand Master Miaole said in his Supplemental Amplifications on the Great Calming and Contemplation that the stronger our faith is, the greater the divine protection will be. Do not doubt this. You should firmly believe in and do not doubt that there always is divine protection. (Murano 2000, p. 125 adapted)