Resting in the Sovereign Arms of God

When I sat before my ordination council with only my Bible and statement of faith, the hours of questioning became a blur except for one moment. Dr. Duane Litfin, a seasoned pastor and professor, paused after commending my work. Then he looked at me and said, “Don’t neglect the lordship of Jesus Christ.”

He explained how, for decades, he had underemphasized Christ’s lordship in his own ministry, and how transformative it had been once he grasped it. “Grasp the bigness of Jesus,” he urged. I have long forgotten most of that day, but his words still resound. Jesus is not only Savior; He is Lord over all creation.

Our Human Christ

In recent years, the church has rightly celebrated the humanity of Jesus: gentle and lowly, tenderhearted, patient with sinners. These are glorious truths. He truly is Immanuel, God with us.

Yet if we emphasize His humanity in a way that neglects His divinity, we risk shrinking Him to a mere friend who offers sympathy but lacks the power to save.

Good News of His Divinity

Jesus’s humanity is only good news because it is united to His divine nature.

• “By him all things were created, all things were created through him and for him” (Colossians 1:16).

• “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:17).

• “He is the image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15).

The One who calls us friends is the same One who spoke galaxies into existence, upholds the universe by His word, and perfectly reveals the Father.

Why Lordship Matters

If Jesus were only human, His compassion would be powerless. He could comfort but not conquer; weep with us but not wipe away our tears; encourage us but not rescue us from judgment.

But because He is Lord Creator, Sustainer, King His gentleness is backed by infinite power. His promise, “Come to me and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28), is not wishful thinking but a sovereign guarantee.

Resting in His Lordship

The Bible holds together His majesty and His meekness:

• The rider on the white horse whose eyes are like flames of fire (Revelation 19:11–16)

• The Shepherd who carries His lambs close to His heart (Isaiah 40:11)

He made every cell in your body even the ones that turn against you. He ordains all your days even the hardest ones. He numbers your years whether many or few.

How does His lordship shape your faith?

Meditate on His power, holiness, and sovereignty together with His gentleness, kindness, and long-suffering. Entrust yourself to the One whose hands are both tender and omnipotent.

There is no better place to rest than in the sovereign arms of Jesus a big God who delights to comfort His children. Share this article or subscribe to our newsletter for more updates.