Adonai: Lord

2 Samuel 7:18-29; Luke 6:46; 1 John 2:3-6; 1 Cor. 1:26-31.

ETS: David acknowledged the greatness of God who is Lord.

ESS: We should acknowledge the greatness of God as Lord.

OSS: [Devotional] {I want the hearers to worship and serve God in light of His greatness as Lord.} Cognitive: I want the hearers to know that God is Lord. Affective: I want the hearers to sense God’s greatness as Lord because of all He has done, is doing, and will do. Psycho-Motor: I want the hearers to worship and serve God as Lord of their lives.

PQ: What affirmations are found in David’s acknowledgement of God’s greatness?

UW: Affirmations

Intro.: [AGS]: The name adonai means “Lord” and is understood to refer to a superior as having authority and influence in one’s life. The NT records multiple verses that communicate the importance of obedience and service for the one who calls on Jesus as Lord. Yet, there seems to be a great disconnect between calling Jesus “Lord” and living with Jesus as Lord in American Christianity today. This is demonstrated, at least, in one area: evangelism. A research report in 2022 reported that “70% of Christians have not shared with a stranger how to become a Christian in the last six months.” (https://www.christianpost.com/news/two-thirds-of-christians-dont-know-methods-for-sharing-jesus.html) The reasons behind this are diverse. Yet, the truth remains: there is a disconnect between living a life of obedience to Jesus as Lord and calling upon Him as Lord. [TS]: The Old Testament has many examples of people calling upon God as Lord. This often involved an encounter with God whereby God was calling the individual to do something for Him. Though this is only one example, we will examine today a prayer of David that exemplifies David worshipping God as Lord based upon His greatness and what He had done. [RS]: Perhaps for you, the struggle is the same as those in the Bible. We will examine a few different situations where God called people to do something and the people struggled with obedience. In this sense, they struggled to call Him Lord and to live for Him as Lord. I’m sure there has been a time, maybe even now, when you have wrestled with obedience to God- to knowing God as Lord and living for Him as your Lord. Let us examine today a few observations in David’s prayer exemplifying his worship of God as Lord and then turn our attention to our own lives to make application in living for God as Lord.

TS.: Let us examine a few affirmations together now:

The first affirmation is the humility resulting from an encounter with God. [v. 18]

This is clearly observed through the posture of David:

David sat in the Lord’s presence. Likely, inside the tent where the Ark was at- symbolic of the Lord’s presence. Yet, sitting- in this sense- was a symbol of worship or of one desiring favor from a superior.

David inquired, “Who am I, Lord God...” This question is often seen throughout Scripture as people encountered God, specifically being called upon by God. [See Is. 6 5 [Isaiah]; Jer. 1:6 [Jeremiah]; Ex. 4:10 [Moses]; Judg. 6:15 [Gideon]]

David considered himself a servant of God- referring to himself as “your [God] servant” ten times in the prayer.

APPLICATION: Knowing God as Adonai: Lord causes us to adopt an attitude of humility, servitude, and gratitude.

The second affirmation is the wisdom of God. [vv. 19-21]

The wisdom of God is displayed through David’s acknowledging God’s plan and the knowledge thereof:

You have brought me this far...

Distant future

David acknowledged the wisdom of God in the plan of God. That plan included the promise of an eternal kingdom through David’s lineage.

APPLICATION: Knowing God as Adonai: Lord causes us to acknowledge His infinite wisdom regarding the plan for our lives.

The third affirmation is the greatness of God. [vv. 22-24]

David does not beat around the bush. He gets straight to the point: This is why you are great, Lord God.

In a time where polytheism was common, David establishes the greatness of God as Adonai: Lord, The one true God amidst many false Gods.

The greatness of God is demonstrated through His establishing a people for Himself- to make His name known.

APPLICATION: Knowing God as Adonai: Lord causes us to affirm and proclaim God’s greatness to all.

The fourth affirmation is the significance of God’s will. [vv. 21; 25-29]

Notice, this part of the prayer turns to a request made by David regarding the promise of God.

Notice, more importantly, the extent and drive of the prayer: so that your name will be exalted forever.

APPLICATION: Knowing God as Adonai: Lord causes us to request things not according to our own will but rather according to the will of our Father.

With these observations in mind, let us move briefly to make further application thinking practically about the next week of our life. Three passages come to mind:

Luke 6:46; 1 Jn. 2:3-6; 1 Cor. 1:26-31.

The first two passages communicate this:

If Jesus is Lord, then we will model our lives in obedience to Him. If He is not Lord, then we will not.

The third passage addresses this:

God uses those who the world considers as nothing to show the world that what it considers as nothing God considers as something and what it considers something is truly nothing.

This passage should handle the following excuses:

I am not good enough

I am not smart enough

I am not well-spoken enough

I am not ____ enough.

Over the course of the next moments, I want you to evaluate your life asking this question: “Is Jesus truly Lord of my life?”

After reflecting on that question, I want you to ask this question:

“Over the next week, what can I do to exemplify that Jesus is Lord of my life?”