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Imagine a trilogy of movies where each part plays off the others seamlessly, just like in The Lord of the Rings. You can’t have Fellowship of the Ring without The Two Towers without The Return of the King.

In part one, we explored Elohim as the Almighty Creator, referenced over 2,000 times in the Old Testament. Who doesn’t want God to be strong and almighty? In part two, we learned about Jehovah, God as the covenant-keeping, relational being, mentioned 6,519 times. We love that we have a God who is there for us.

Now, we look at the name Adonai, which appears 434 times in the Old Testament. Adonai means owner, master, and Lord of our lives.

Adonai is the one who bears responsibility for all that He owns, including us. Wait, we aren’t in charge? Here is something to remember as you read this:

There is a big difference between renting and owning. When you rent, you feel less responsible for the upkeep of the house. Owning the house changes everything; it demands investment and accountability. 

Many struggle with the idea of surrendering ownership of their lives to God, as it requires acknowledging His ultimate authority and control.  We often attend church, listen to sermons, and check off our spiritual to-do lists without surrendering our lives to Him. 

Have you ever seen a bumper sticker that says “Jesus is my co-pilot”? It is a nice slogan but it is totally wrong. Jesus wants nothing to do with being your co-pilot. He wants to be the pilot or nothing else.

Throughout this journey together we have been following the disciple, Peter. In Matthew 14, The disciples are on a boat in the middle of the sea during a crazy storm. Jesus had stayed behind on shore to pray. The disciples had been battling the storm when Jesus came to them walking on the water. Jesus went all “Elohim” on them. The disciples go crazy thinking it is a ghost when our boy Peter asked, “If it is You, command me to come to You on the Water.” Jesus commands him to come, and Peter begins to walk on the water. As Peter becomes only the second person to ever walk on water, he notices the wind was picking up, and he was afraid. He is actively walking on water toward “Elohim” and he takes his eyes off Jesus, afraid, and begins to sink.

“Lord, save me!”

Peter in his time of trouble shouted out “ADONAI, save me!” Even though Peter was in trouble, he had the wits about him to know that Jesus was responsible for him. Jesus was Peter’s master.

When we step back and allow Jesus to be the pilot in our lives and we are just along for the ride, you will see him be Jehovah and Elohim.

There will be times when your faith will be tested like Peter on the sea…

• Losing a job
• Losing friendships
• Losing hope

Listen to what Jesus saying, “If you see me as your Adonai, you will see me work as your Jehovah.”

You are probably thinking, like our editors, this is getting a little repetitive. You are correct because if you don’t get this you miss the main point of this ENTIRE What Now Series. Jesus must be the MASTER of your life.

"Therefore God also has highly exalted (Jesus) and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." - Philippians 2:9-11

Scripture References: Matthew 14, Philippians 2:9-11

Another Quick Resource Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wM05WY-guo