Does it conjure up positive or negative feelings when you think of a servant? I dare say that it would incite a negative emotion. Being a servant to someone does not encourage feelings of self-confidence. Even if your “master” is kind, there may not be positive feelings connected to servitude.
Yet, when we study the many names of God we have the name Adonai.
“The Hebrew word Adonai is usually translated as “Lord” with a “L” followed by “ord” in small letters…..Adonai occurs nearly three hundred times in the Old Testament. It is used 215 times in the singular (Adon) in reference to men and means “sir” or “master” (Hemphill,2014)
“The primary significance of Adonai is ownership. God’s ownership of everything is affirmed by the truth that He is Creator. As Owner, He can rightly require our worship and obedience” (Hemphill,2014)
As believers, we know that God owns everything because He has created everything. That gives Him the “right” to do as He pleases because He is God. In light of this, we have to hold this in tandem with the other attributes of God being loving, kind, gracious, and merciful. Therefore, as Adonai, God fulfills His responsibility to care for, provide, protect and guide us.
“For all the animals of the forest are mine, and I own the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird on the mountains, and all the animals of the field are mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for all the world is mine and everything in it.” Psalms 50:10-12 NLT
What should our response be as believers? Surrender and obedience.
God called Abraham, Moses, Gideon, and many others to surrender their way and obey His command.
God wants us to do the same. When we allow God to be Adonai in our life, we give up all control and allow Him to use us for His will and purpose.
Jesus told His disciples, “Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.” John 12:26 NLT
In the next chapter, Jesus was an example to His disciples. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.” John 13:13-15 NLT
God is Adonai. Lord.
Do you acknowledge this in your life? If not, why not? He is the good and perfect Lord. The one who can supply your every need. The one who can do anything. The one who can empower you to do His will for His glory. Why not surrender in obedience today?
References
Hemphill, K (2014) The Names of God Revealing the Character of God
Amen!!