THE ADONAI
Psalm 8:1-9
The name Adonai is translated in our Bibles by the word Lord in small letters (as opposed to Jehovah or Yahweh which is translated LORD in all capitals). The same word is often translated, depending on the context, as Master, Lord, Owner. The name Adonai signifies ownership or mastership and indicates that God is the owner and master of all. Consequently, He claims the unrestricted obedience of everyone and requires worship. An illustration of this truth is found in Mal. 1:6. They had dishonoured God by not worshipping Him acceptably. The priests brought reproach upon His name by failing to acknowledge His ownership of all that exist. Their willingness to offer less than the best in sacrifice to God demonstrates their failure to honour His name and recognise His authority as Master and Owner of all.
We must realise that our Adonai, our Master, calls us to acceptable service. Adonai requires and demands obedience as a slave must obey his master. But we must learn that just as the master provides for his slave in the Old Testament, our Lord and Master gives us the gifts we need to equip us for His service Eph. 4:11-12. When we are in our Master’s service – we can accomplish what He is asking. He will reward faithfulness, but He will also punish lack of faith in His servants. We must make it our aim to “do those things that please Him.” Jn. 8:29. To be a servant of the Lord is the greatest liberty and joy of all. Man needs lordship. We need direction, guidance and authority. Man was created to worship and to serve. But we cannot have two masters though we will either choose to serve Adonai as our Lord and Master, or we choose to be in bondage to the Devil Rom. 6:16.
Throughout the Bible, we see several characteristics of those that lived with God as their Lord (Master). First, we see that they acknowledged themselves as servants; they counted it a privilege to serve the living God. Secondly, they understood that their Master could supply their needs. Thirdly, they realised that they could do whatever God calls them to do. Our goal is to serve in such a way that we will hear those glorious words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant……enter into the joy of thy Lord.”
PRAYER: Give me the heart of a true servant, O Lord
