The God Who is Adonai

Psalm 16:2

St. John’s United Church of Christ
Greeley, Colorado
April 19, 2026
Rev. Juvenal Cervantes

Introduction

Once upon a time, there was a Chinese farmer whose horse ran away. That evening, all of his neighbors came around to commiserate. They said, “We are so sorry to hear your horse has run away. This is most unfortunate.” The farmer said, “Maybe.”

The next day, the horse came back bringing seven wild horses with it, and in the evening, everybody came back and said, “Oh, isn’t that lucky. What a great turn of events. You now have eight horses!” The farmer again said, “Maybe.”

The following day, his son tried to break one of the horses, and while riding it, he was thrown and broke his leg. The neighbors then said, “Oh dear, that’s too bad,” and the farmer responded, “Maybe.”

The next day, the conscription officers came around to conscript people into the army, and they rejected his son because he had a broken leg. Again, all the neighbors came around and said, “Isn’t that great!” Again, he said, “Maybe.”

The whole process of nature is an integrated process of immense complexity, and it’s really impossible to tell whether anything that happens in it is good or bad, because you never know what will be the consequence of the misfortune, or, you never know what will be the consequences of good fortune.

Here’s our Christian assurance: Trusting in a God who is all-knowing assures our ongoing care and ultimate victory. He says in his word: “I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for” (Jeremiah 29:11. MSG) and “And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose” (Romans 8:28, AMP).

Therefore, today, have you surrendered to God your intellect, your will, and your flesh?

Psalm 16:2 — “I say to the LORD, ‘You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.’”, focusing on God as Adonai (Lord, Master, Owner):

David declares something deeply personal and powerful: “You are my Lord.” In Hebrew, that word is Adonai—a title that means Master, Ruler, Owner, the One who has rightful authority over all.

This is not just theology—it is surrender.

1. Adonai Means God Is in Charge

When David says, “You are my Lord,” he is not simply acknowledging God’s existence—he is yielding control.

Adonai is not an advisor.

He is not a consultant we call when life gets hard.

He is Master.

To call God Adonai means:

My plans are not ultimate—His are

My desires are secondary—His will leads

My life is not my own—I belong to Him

We live in a culture that celebrates control and independence. But the soul finds peace only when it stops fighting for the throne and lets God sit on it.

You cannot have God as Savior without also acknowledging Him as Lord.

2. Adonai Means God Owns Everything

The word Adonai carries the idea of ownership.

If He is Lord, then:

My time belongs to Him

My resources belong to Him

My gifts belong to Him

My future belongs to Him

David understood this. That’s why he could say, “apart from you I have no good thing.”

Everything good in your life is not self-made—it is God-given.

We often say, “my life, my choices, my goals”—but Adonai says:

“No—My child, My purpose, My glory.”

And here’s the paradox:

When you give everything to God, you don’t lose—it’s where you finally find life.

3. Adonai Means God Is Our Source of All Good

David doesn’t just call God Lord—he declares dependence:

“Apart from you I have no good thing.”

That’s a radical statement.

It means: Success without God is empty. Pleasure without God is temporary. Achievement without God is hollow.

Every good thing—peace, joy, purpose, hope—flows from Adonai.

We often chase the benefits instead of the Source.

But David flips that mindset:

If I have God, I have everything. If I don’t, I have nothing.

4. Adonai Invites Surrender, Not Resistance

Calling God Adonai is not just a statement—it’s a daily decision.

It’s waking up and saying:

“Lord, lead me today.”

“Lord, correct me when I’m wrong.”

“Lord, use my life however You want.”

Surrender is not weakness—it is alignment with divine authority.

And here’s the beauty:

Adonai is not a harsh master—He is a good Lord.

He leads with wisdom. He rules with justice. He loves with faithfulness.

Closing Invitation

David didn’t say, “You are the Lord.”

He said, “You are my Lord.”

That’s the question for us:

Is God just a concept, or is He your Master?

Is He part of your life, or the authority over it?

Have you acknowledged Him—or surrendered to Him?

Because one day, everyone will recognize His authority.

But today, you have the opportunity to choose Him as Adonai.

Closing Prayer

“Adonai, You are our Lord. Forgive us for the times we have tried to control what belongs to You. Teach us to surrender fully—to trust Your authority, depend on Your goodness, and live under Your rule. We declare today: apart from You, we have no good thing. Be Lord over every part of our lives. Amen.”