I. IN THE DELIVERANCE OF A SOUL. Comment upon our state of ruin. Salvation is —

1. Of the Father. In its origin proceeding from the eternal love of God, even before all time.

2. Of the Son. In its meritorious cause. An obstacle to be removed; justice to be satisfied; our need of an atoning sacrifice. Note the willingness of Christ to offer Himself; and the fulness and sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice.

3. Of the Spirit. In its personal application. Our aversion to God to be taken away — in conversion, sanctification, perseverance.

II. IN THE LESSER DELIVERANCES OF THE CHILDREN OF GOD.

1. From outward difficulties. Such as Jonah's case. Jonathan and the Philistines. Children of Israel in the wilderness. David overtaken by Saul. Asa and the Ethiopians. Jehoshaphat and the Moabites.

2. From bodily afflictions. Hezekiah's sickness. Psalm 102:17; Job 32:19.

3. From soul troubles. Temptation. Desertion. Backsliding. What are the legitimate deductions?

(1)The subject checks the pride and vainglory of man.

(2)Raises the hopes of the desponding.

(John D. Lawe, M. A.)

(R. F. Horton, D. D.)

I. SALVATION IS WHOLLY OF GOD IN ITS ORIGIN WITH THE FATHER.

1. In the will and decree of the Father (see Ephesians 1:4).

2. The Father's purpose and decree can be referred to nothing but His sovereign pleasure (see Ephesians 1:11).

3. He was under no obligation to save man.

4. In order to receive salvation we must take the position in which it contemplates us. Condemned, as guilty. Hateful, through sin. The enemies of God, against whom sin is. Powerless to atone or obey.

5. We must further acknowledge God's absolute sovereignty in electing to salvation, and providing a Saviour, and in now saving us.

II. SALVATION IS WHOLLY OF GOD IN ITS EXECUTION BY CHRIST.

1. Had man been equal to his own salvation, then had Christ not come (Galatians 3:21).

2. Christ had to meet human opposition. Man opposed his own salvation, according to God's plan, as soon as practicable.

III. SALVATION IS WHOLLY OF GOD IN ITS APPLICATION BY THE SPIRIT. Man is dependent on the Spirit for having the truth presented; for being able to understand the truth; for rendering him willing; for faith to receive and rest on Christ; for regeneration; for sanctification; for perseverance unto the end of life in Divine grace. Learn to pray for and rely on the Spirit.

(James Stewart.)

1. That no one knows what salvation means but they who have seen their need of it.

2. That no one can praise the Lord for salvation but they who have experienced its blessing and power.

3. That no one can be insensible to the holy feeling of gratitude and praise to whom the grace of God hath brought salvation.

4. That it is generally through a variety of humiliating and painful discipline we are conducted to such an experience, and formed to such a confession and acknowledgment. This then is the subject of our discourse. Considered in every possible point of view, in its origin, source, revelation, execution, grant, efficiency, continuance, and consummation, "Salvation is of the Lord."

I. WHAT DOES THE TERM "SALVATION" MEAN?

1. What the Lord had done, or was about to do, for Jonah in respect of his body. In this Jonah was a striking type of Christ.

2. What the Lord had done for him in respect of his soul, in preserving him from hell, and granting him repentance unto life. The word salvation, as applied to souls, does not mean

(1)Profession.

(2)Privileges.

(3)Attainments.

(4)Names, sects, or parties.To see what it does mean we must ask, What is the state of man? He is lost, as being guilty, condemned, polluted, and depraved, exposed to many enemies, from which, by his own will and power, be can never escape. Salvation means deliverance from this state of wretchedness and misery, together with an investiture of all the blessings needful for his present peace and everlasting welfare.

II. WHENCE DOES THIS SALVATION FLOW, AND BY WHOM IS IT CARRIED INTO EFFECT? It does not originate with man. It is not effected by man. It is altogether of the Lord. Consider from Scripture —

1. The source of salvation.

2. The provision of the Saviour.

3. The assignment of His mediating work as the surety of His Church and people.

4. Look at the execution of this great work.So it is clear that salvation is altogether of the Lord. Consider how, and by whom, the time when, and the manner in which this gracious provision is carried into effect in the sinner's conversion.

1. The regeneration of the soul.

2. The sinner's pardon and justification.

3. The believer's sanctification and adoption.

4. The believer's succour, support, and safety.

5. The believer's perseverance unto the end, his safe death, and triumphant glory.

III. WHEREIN DOES IT APPEAR THAT IT IS INDEED THE SALVATION OF THE LORD?

1. What hath the Lord spoken on this subject?

2. What does the state of the case absolutely require?

3. What does the experience of the people of God abundantly testify and confirm?

4. If salvation be not of the Lord, then how dark, how cheerless is the prospect set before us!(1) Take a word of instruction. Lay down this doctrine as a fundamental truth.(2) Take a word of discovery. How much error, delusion, and false doctrine does this subject bring to light!(3) Take a word of inquiry. In what way are you seeking your salvation?(4) Take a word of alarm. Is it not sad to consider how the Lord is slighted by some, and dishonoured by others, in this great work of salvation?(5) Take a word of encouragement. Can anything be more cheering than this assurance, "Salvation is of the Lord"?(6) Take a word of gratitude and joy. Is the Lord my Saviour?

(R. Shittler.)

     5741   vows
     6634   deliverance
     7963   song
     8251   faithfulness, to God
     8676   thanksgiving

Jonah 2:1-9

     8609   prayer, as praise and thanksgiving

The Fainting Soul Revived
WHEN man was first made, there was no fear of his forgetting God for it was his highest privilege and delight to have communion with his Maker. "The Lord God walked in the garden in the cool of the day," and Adam was privileged to hold fellowship with God, closer, perhaps, than even the angels had in heaven. But the spell of that sacred harmony was rudely broken by man's disobedience and his dreadful fall. Ever since our first parent tasted of the forbidden fruit, which brought death into our world, …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 62: 1916

The Soul.
Man as we behold him is not all there is of man. He is a wonderful being. He stands in the highest order of God's creation. He Is A Compound. Man was created a physical and spiritual organism. He possesses an animal and a spiritual life. Thus he is connected with two worlds. The physical creation is termed the "outward man," and the spiritual, the "inward man." "For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day." 2 Cor. 4:16. "For we know …
Charles Ebert Orr—The Gospel Day

An Address to a Soul So Overwhelmed with a Sense of the Greatness of Its Sins, that it Dares not Apply Itself to Christ with Any
1-4. The case described at large.--5. As it frequently occurs.--6. Granting all that the dejected soul charges on itself.--7. The invitations and promises of Christ give hope.--8. The reader urged, under all his burdens and fears, to an humble application to him. Which is accordingly exemplified in the concluding Reflection and Prayer. 1. I have now done with those unhappy creatures who despise the Gospel, and with those who neglect it. With pleasure do I now turn myself to those who will hear me …
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul

The Sovereignty of God in Salvation
"O the depths of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgements, and His ways past finding out" (Rom. 11:33). "Salvation is of the LORD" (Jonah 2:9); but the Lord does not save all. Why not? He does save some; then if He saves some, why not others? Is it because they are too sinful and depraved? No; for the Apostle wrote, "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief" (1 …
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God

Whether the Fire of Hell is Beneath the Earth?
Objection 1: It would seem that this fire is not beneath the earth. For it is said of the damned (Job 18:18), "And God shall remove him out of the globe [Douay: 'world']." Therefore the fire whereby the damned will be punished is not beneath the earth but outside the globe. Objection 2: Further, nothing violent or accidental can be everlasting. But this fire will be in hell for ever. Therefore it will be there, not by force but naturally. Now fire cannot be under the earth save by violence. Therefore …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

The Revelation of the Old Testament in Writing.
"Then I said, I will not speak any more in His Name. But His word was in my heart as a burning fire, shut up in my bones: and I was weary with forbearing, but I could not."--Jer. xx. 9. Altho the miracles performed for and in the midst of Israel created a glorious life-center in the midst of the heathen world, yet they did not constitute a Holy Scripture; for this can not be created except God speak to man, even to His people Israel. "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in times …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

But Though Prayer is Properly Confined to Vows and Supplications...
But though prayer is properly confined to vows and supplications, yet so strong is the affinity between petition and thanksgiving, that both may be conveniently comprehended under one name. For the forms which Paul enumerates (1 Tim. 2:1) fall under the first member of this division. By prayer and supplication we pour out our desires before God, asking as well those things which tend to promote his glory and display his name, as the benefits which contribute to our advantage. By thanksgiving we duly …
John Calvin—Of Prayer--A Perpetual Exercise of Faith

God's Sovereignty and Prayer
"If we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us" (1 John 5:14). Throughout this book it has been our chief aim to exalt the Creator and abase the creature. The well-nigh universal tendency now, is to magnify man and dishonour and degrade God. On every hand it will be found that, when spiritual things are under discussion, the human side and element is pressed and stressed, and the Divine side, if not altogether ignored, is relegated to the background. This holds true of very much of the …
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God

The Pilgrim's Progress
FROM THIS WORLD TO THAT WHICH IS TO COME. THE SECOND PART. DELIVERED UNDER THE SIMILITUDE OF A DREAM. WHEREIN IS SET FORTH THE MANNER OF THE SETTING OUT OF CHRISTIAN'S WIFE AND CHILDREN, THEIR DANGEROUS JOURNEY, AND SAFE ARRIVAL AT THE DESIRED COUNTRY. By JOHN BUNYAN. 'I have used similitudes.'--Hosea 12:10. London: Printed for Nathaniel Ponder, at the Peacock in the Poultry, near the Church, 1684. THE AUTHOR'S WAY OF SENDING FORTH HIS SECOND PART OF THE PILGRIM. Go now, my little book, to every …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Jonah
The book of Jonah is, in some ways, the greatest in the Old Testament: there is no other which so bravely claims the whole world for the love of God, or presents its noble lessons with so winning or subtle an art. Jonah, a Hebrew prophet, is divinely commanded to preach to Nineveh, the capital of the great Assyrian empire of his day. To escape the unwelcome task of preaching to a heathen people, he takes ship for the distant west, only to be overtaken by a storm, and thrown into the sea, when, by …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament