"Salvation is of the LORD." -Jonah 2:9

THE LORD GAVE & THE LORD HAS TAKEN AWAY "The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away." Many people reading this portion of Scripture would say that Satan afflicted Job and took away all that he possessed, but Job (like every true believer) knew that the Lord is the first cause of all things. Satan and other second causes can only do what God is pleased to permit them to do (I Sam. 2:6-8; Acts 4:27-28; Isa. 46:9-11). "THE LORD GAVE." Job did not say, "I earned these things; I deserve them, for they are the products of my hard work." No! He said all that I have is the gift of God. "A man can receive nothing except it be given him from heaven" (John 3:27; I Cor. 4:7). All that I have physically, mentally, materially, and spiritually are the gifts of God. Even repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ are the gifts of God (Rom. 2:4; Acts 11:18; Eph. 2:8-9; Phil. 1:29). "THE LORD HATH TAKEN AWAY.&qu

  The God of glory, before the world began, graciously chose a people in Christ unto salvation. "But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: w hereunto He called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14). Concerning these chosen ones, the Shepherd said, "and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand" (John 10:28). The Lord determined that His people would be justified, redeemed, sanctified, regenerated, called, preserved and glorified. Not one of the elect shall perish for God has willed their eternal salvation and has engaged all of His attributes to accomplish that purpose. His sovereignty determined their salvation and will never be frustrated. His wisdom