Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" And he said, Who are You, Lord? Then the Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads." Acts 9:4-5 (NKJV)
We are looking at a two-part devotional titled, Who Are You Lord? In this devotional we are looking at a passage of Scripture in Acts 9:1-6, where we see the Apostle Paul, who was still called Saul at this point. Saul was on a trip to persecute new Christian believers, and Jesus had stopped and confronted him on the Road to Damascus and said, "Saul, Saul, Why do you persecute me?" And, we see Saul asking a question back, "Who are You Lord?"
We learned two great truths in these questions and answers contained within these Scriptures, and they were:
1. When we persecute other believers, we are persecuting Christ (Acts 9:4).
2. Jesus Christ is Lord (Acts 9:5).
Let's look at our third great truth from this set of Scriptures.
3. When we come against other believers, and Jesus, we are kicking against the goads (Acts 9:5).
Q: What is a Goad?
A: A goad is a stick with a sharp point, sometimes fashioned with iron on the tip of it. It was used to poke or stimulate oxen to move forward when plowing fields. When an ox would decide to be stubborn, he would kick back against the goads, and in doing so, he would only wound himself in the process.
It is the same way with us in our walk with God. He is the One who is guiding our path in life, and there are times when we foolishly, and stubbornly kick back against Him. In doing so, we are only injuring ourselves. It is also interesting to me in looking at this definition, the word "Goad" means a "Divine impulse." So when Jesus spoke about kicking against the goads, He was saying we are actually kicking against a divine impulse within our mind and heart to do something we know to be right.
Q: So how did Paul respond to the revelation of Jesus being his Lord?
A: He humbled himself and he asked a very smart question.
So he, trembling and astonished, said, "Lord, what do You want me to do?" Acts 9:6 (NKJV)
This leads me into our fourth great truth we can derive out of this passage of Scripture, which is,
4. We need to ask God continuously, "What do You want me to do Lord?"
As Christian believers, this should be a template question we should lay over every situation we encounter.
We are looking at a two-part devotional titled, Who Are You Lord? In this devotional we are looking at a passage of Scripture in Acts 9:1-6, where we see the Apostle Paul, who was still called Saul at this point. Saul was on a trip to persecute new Christian believers, and Jesus had stopped and confronted him on the Road to Damascus and said, "Saul, Saul, Why do you persecute me?" And, we see Saul asking a question back, "Who are You Lord?"
We learned two great truths in these questions and answers contained within these Scriptures, and they were:
1. When we persecute other believers, we are persecuting Christ (Acts 9:4).
2. Jesus Christ is Lord (Acts 9:5).
Let's look at our third great truth from this set of Scriptures.
3. When we come against other believers, and Jesus, we are kicking against the goads (Acts 9:5).
Q: What is a Goad?
A: A goad is a stick with a sharp point, sometimes fashioned with iron on the tip of it. It was used to poke or stimulate oxen to move forward when plowing fields. When an ox would decide to be stubborn, he would kick back against the goads, and in doing so, he would only wound himself in the process.
It is the same way with us in our walk with God. He is the One who is guiding our path in life, and there are times when we foolishly, and stubbornly kick back against Him. In doing so, we are only injuring ourselves. It is also interesting to me in looking at this definition, the word "Goad" means a "Divine impulse." So when Jesus spoke about kicking against the goads, He was saying we are actually kicking against a divine impulse within our mind and heart to do something we know to be right.
Q: So how did Paul respond to the revelation of Jesus being his Lord?
A: He humbled himself and he asked a very smart question.
So he, trembling and astonished, said, "Lord, what do You want me to do?" Acts 9:6 (NKJV)
This leads me into our fourth great truth we can derive out of this passage of Scripture, which is,
4. We need to ask God continuously, "What do You want me to do Lord?"
As Christian believers, this should be a template question we should lay over every situation we encounter.
- When we speak to others, we should say this at the beginning of the conversation in our minds.
- When others seeking our advice or help ask us questions.
- When we get up in the morning to start our day, and are going before the Lord in prayer.
- When making our plans for new jobs, or relationships.
- When being tempted by the enemy to do something we know to be wrong.
We should always be asking God, "What do you want me to do Lord, in this situation?" When we realize and believe Jesus is our personal Lord, then we need to be willing to submit to His guidance and leading, and refrain from being stubborn like an ox.
Hey Christian, I want to encourage you today to ask God, "In what area am I still kicking against the goads?" Be honest and be listening to those divine impulses for God's leading. Now be willing to change any area in your life needing to be changed. God will guide you and empower you in every step of the way. Trust Him and begin a new walk today.
STUDY QUESTION: According to Acts 9:6, what was Saul's reaction to Jesus being his Lord?
PERSONAL INVENTORY: Are you willing to ask this same question of God today in every aspect of your life?
APPLICATION: Make it your highest priority to ask God this question as you face your choices today.
No comments:
Post a Comment