Salvation Is Of The Lord

Salvation Is of the Lord

We might not expect that someone sitting in the stomach of a fish would be the source of the most significant truth in the universe. But as Jonah pieced together various psalms into a prayer, he expressed just such a profound truth. “My salvation comes from the LORD alone” (Jonah 2:9).

Jonah wasn’t talking about the temporary deliverance of not being digested by the fish. He was talking about the great work of the salvation of his soul for all eternity that God would accomplish for him—whether or not the fish spit him out. Jonah understood that he was helpless in terms of saving himself; it was completely up to God.

No created intelligence assisted God in planning salvation. Even before he made the world, God devised a way whereby he might save humanity, which he knew would fall into sin. And just as no one helped God plan for salvation, neither did any person help him provide salvation. God did it all himself. And he still does not need our help; it has been accomplished at the Cross.

Salvation is of the Lord—it begins with him, it is sustained by him, and it finds fulfillment in him.

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (Ephesians 2:8-10)

When we talk about salvation, it only makes sense to ask ourselves, “What or who do we need to be saved from?” And here is the answer that seems scandalous to some: we need to be saved from God—namely the wrath of God. The glory of the gospel is that the One from whom we need to be saved is the very One who saves us. In saving us through the work of Christ, God saves us from himself. “This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: ‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners’” (1 Timothy 1:15).

My salvation comes from you alone. I like to think I was somehow smart enough or spiritual enough to choose you, but I know better. It was you who chose me and drew me to yourself. And it is you who keeps me saved and safe.