Holy Rest in the Lord’s Sovereignty

“Why do you flee, O sea? Why do you turn back, O Jordan? Why do you skip like rams, O mountains, like lambs?” — Psalm 114:5–6

The psalmist displays his sense of humor as he describes creation reacting to the presence of God in Psalm 114:5-6. You can hear him chuckle as he asks the sea why it fled and the Jordan River why it turned back. Certainly, he knows why the sea flees, the Jordan turns back, and the mountains skip like startled animals. His point is not that creation is literally dancing and running away, but that everything in creation responds to our sovereign Lord. If even the mountains and seas must yield to God, how much more should we learn to rest in His sovereignty? We often live as though everything depends upon us — our plans, our decisions, our work, our ability to control circumstances. Psalm 114 reminds us that God is God, and we are not. Sometimes faithfulness means knowing when to work diligently and when simply to take a breath and trust the Lord. 

Resting in God’s sovereignty is not laziness or indifference but expressed confidence in His providence. Because God reigns, we do not have to carry the weight of the world on our shoulders. We can faithfully fulfill the responsibilities He has given us while entrusting the results to Him. In a culture that constantly tells us to hurry, achieve, worry, and control, the Christian can live differently: work faithfully, pray earnestly, enjoy God’s good gifts, and rest confidently in His sovereign care. 

Additional Scripture Readings

• Joshua 3:9-17
• Matthew 11:25-30

Reflection Questions 

1. What circumstances are you currently trying to control rather than entrusting to God’s providence and grace? 
2. What would it look like for you to express your confidence in the Lord – a faithful responsibility and genuine trust in God’s Word and ability – regularly?