“Salvation Is Of The Lord”  – 2/17/25

 

Jonah 2:9 records the phrase above. Though the theme of salvation is seen throughout Scripture, this is the only time we read this exact phrase in the Bible. We remember Jonah had fled from God and His command to preach to those in Nineveh (Jonah 1). During a terrible storm, he was cast overboard to save the ship on which he sailed. He was then swallowed by a great fish, where he remained for three days and nights (Jonah 1:17-2:10). Once back on land, Jonah went to Nineveh to preach (Jonah 3), but Jonah was disappointed when he saw the obedience of the people (Jonah 4). The book of Jonah ends abruptly, leaving Jonah standing next to a wilted gourd in the hot sun to contemplate the Lord’s love, patience, mercy, and salvation (Jonah 4:11).

 

The statement “salvation is of the Lord” is the main idea of the book of Jonah. This means that salvation, the act of being saved from sin and its consequences, comes from God. For that reason, Jonah 2:9 is the key verse of the book. When we read the book of Jonah, we can see that this truth overshadows the entire four chapters. For example, salvation was offered to Nineveh and the freighter ship in chapter one. In chapter two, Jonah received salvation from drowning. Chapters three and four focus on the salvation offered and accepted by the people of Nineveh. Someone has said that Jonah is “the gospel of the Old Testament,” and that sounds like an accurate statement.

 

When we think about salvation, Jonah reminds us of its source when he confesses, “Salvation is of the Lord.” The salvation of man’s soul can be found nowhere else. Hebrews 5:9 makes this abundantly clear when we read that Christ is “the author of eternal salvation to all them that obey him.” Our salvation is from the Lord, for His grace has been extended to all people (Titus 2:11-12). Therefore, I need to turn to the Lord for salvation to be saved from my sins. No one else can save me! Jonah confessed this, and I need to understand it!

 

How will we respond to the Lord’s salvation? Will we ignore it? Will we obey? Each of us must make our own decision. The Bible vividly portrays individuals who fall into each category. Some rejected the cry and call for salvation, like Pharaoh, Agrippa, Felix, Nebuchadnezzar, Judas, and others. Many others, like Hannah, Esther, Ruth, Samuel, David, Paul, Timothy, and Titus obeyed. What difference did it make to them? Read about their lives in Scripture and see the outcomes!

 

What will you do with the knowledge that “salvation is of the Lord”? Will you listen (Rom. 10:17; Acts 2:22)? Will you repent (Acts 17:30; II Pet. 3:9)? Will you obey (Heb. 5:9; Mk. 16:16)? The Bible teaches that while God has made salvation possible, we still must respond. In the case of Jonah, if he had gone to Nineveh and preached the truth (Jonah 3), but the people refused what he said, they would have died in their sins (Ezek. 3:17-21). God was the source of their salvation, but they could reject it and face the dire consequences (Jas. 1:14-15). This is a sobering reality that we must all consider.

 

It is the same with us. God has made a way for us to be saved, and this is through Christ (Jn. 14:6). However, if we reject this plan, there is no other way to be saved. We must do it God’s way because “salvation is of the Lord.” To ignore this is to ignore the only way to have our souls cleansed from sin (Acts 22:16). What will you do?

 

– Jarrod M. Jacobs