September 19

Salvation Is From The LORD

"Salvation is from the LORD." Jonah 2:9

The story of Jonah is a fascinating one, and yet one that brings many questions to mind. Why did Jonah think he could run from God? Once Jonah was saved, why was he so angry with God for saving others? If you are not familiar with the story, the book of Jonah is only 4 short chapters; you may want to read it yourself, but here is a shortened version: God told Jonah to go to Nineveh and tell them that their wickedness would cause their destruction. Jonah chose to run away instead of obeying. When God caused a life-threatening storm to arise, Jonah knew he was the cause and had the sailors throw him overboard. God sent a great fish to swallow him and he spent three days and nights inside the belly of the fish. When Jonah prayed for salvation, he received it and Jonah was deposited on dry land. Jonah proceeded to Nineveh and delivered God's message, but lo, and behold, the people listened and repented! As a result, God relented and did not destroy them. This made Jonah mad. I'm not sure why, perhaps because it made him look like a fool, or perhaps because they were a heathen nation and he just didn't like them. He whined and pouted and told God he knew this would happen and that is why he ran in the first place. Frankly, he would have rather died than live, so he climbed a hill that overlooked the city and sat there, waiting for God to either destroy the city or him. Why was Jonah so willing to receive the salvation of God, but so unwilling to see others receive it? Jonah must have been a letter-of-the-law kind of guy and yet he was so blind to his own sin. In the second chapter of Jonah, there is the prayer Jonah prayed while in the great fish. Nowhere in the prayer is there a word of repentance for his disobedience to God; only a cry for salvation. Jonah was a bit self-righteous. He actually thought he knew better than God. What he really lacked was vision; God's vision that all people would seek His face and receive salvation. Having tasted of the Lord's grace and salvation, he should have been so relieved to see others receive it also! What I find so amazing is that God did not give up on Jonah, despite his blatant disregard for God's commands and wishes. He disciplined him and kept him moving toward His goal for Jonah. The story ends rather abruptly. We never know if Jonah sees things God's way or not, but perhaps that is not important. What is important is: do we understand the lesson? Have we caught a glimpse of God's vision? Do we have the same passion that He has for people? Are we willing to bestow grace freely to others because we have freely received it? These are the lessons in the book of Jonah for us all.

Father; forgive me for the sin of self-righteousness. You know what is best for me and for the entire world. Give me your vision, Lord. Place in my heart the same passion that you have for people. Make my life one of helping others in their reconciliation to you. I long for the day when the entire world will say, "Salvation is from the Lord!" Thank you for the part you have given me in sharing the gospel with others. Amen.