Salvation Belongs to the Lord
Daily Old Testament Reading: 2 Kings 14; 2 Chronicles 25; Jonah 1-2
Daily Focus Passage: Jonah 2
Most believers are familiar with the story of Jonah and Nineveh. At the end of Jonah 2, the prophet declares that salvation belongs to the Lord alone. This declaration comes as the conclusion of his seeking repentance from the Lord for his disobedience of going toward Tarshish instead of Nineveh. Jonah's statement announces that the Lord alone is the source of redemption from death, the Lord alone is the source of redemption for all people, and the Lord alone restores the repentant.
THE LORD ALONE IS THE SOURCE OF REDEMPTION FROM DEATH
Jonah faced certain death in chapter 1 as he sprinted away from the calling of the Lord and landed in the depths of the sea. Yet, the Lord rescued Jonah from certain death through the miraculous use of the great fish. Jonah could do nothing on his own to survive the depths of the sea, but he experienced the truth that the Lord alone is the source of redemption that rescues the person in the depths of the sea of sin from death and offers them salvation and life. Today, we must hold firm to the truth that Christ alone is the way, the truth, and the life, and as a result, Christ alone is the way to salvation.
THE LORD ALONE IS THE SOURCE OF REDEMPTION FOR ALL PEOPLE
God called Jonah to go to the city of Nineveh and announce the message from the Lord. Jonah did not like the assignment and sprinted away toward Tarshish because he felt that the people of Nineveh did not deserve the grace and mercy of the Lord. He desired to see the people face death now and eternity instead of warning and inviting them to follow the Lord. Today, we must recognize that we do not have the right to withhold the gospel's message from people. Every tribe, nation, and tongue must hear the gospel's message because all people receive redemption through Christ alone.
THE LORD ALONE RESTORES THE REPENTANT
Jonah was restored from his disobedience and sent back on the path of obedience toward Nineveh. The Lord worked in a manner that restored the task of Jonah and brought forgiveness into the life of Jonah. As we follow Jonah's ministry, we find that this act is abused and misused because he continues to battle with the flesh. Yet, the Lord continues to call him to repentance and offers him restoration. Today, the Lord continues to carry out the act of restoration. He restores the wayward that cries out to him in repentance.
Salvation comes from nowhere other than the Lord. The Lord's work in saving Jonah reveals that the Lord is the one true God who rescues people from the pits of darkness. The gods of the people on the boat could do nothing, only the one true God. When we consider Jonah's statement that salvation belongs to the Lord, we must find hope and assurance in the work of salvation and the offer of life from the Lord.
