You Have Conquered
River Valley Church
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Romans 8:37
June 2012
29 posts
Kicking against the Goads
As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
This story is told 3 times in Acts. Once here in Acts 9:3-6, again before the mob trying to kill Paul in Acts 22:6-11, and lastly before the Roman governor Felix and King Agrippa in Acts 26:12-16. In this last version Paul adds a line that is not in the other versions. It says:
“Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”
Now I had read about goads in the Old Testament but forgot what they were, so I had to go look it up again. They could be used as weapons but most often were used to drive oxen.
1. (n.) A pointed instrument used to urge on a beast; hence, any necessity that urges or stimulates.
2. (v. t.) To prick; to drive with a goad; hence, to urge forward, or to rouse by anything pungent, severe, irritating, or inflaming; to stimulate.
I found this to be an interesting comment that Jesus made to Saul but the more I researched it the more it made sense, both in relationship to Saul and Jesus and myself also. Here is some interesting commentary from Barnes’ Notes on that line of scripture.
“The expression ‘to kick against the prick’ is derived from the action of a stubborn and unyielding ox kicking against the goad. And as the ox would injure no one by it but himself; as he would gain nothing, it comes to denote ‘an obstinate and refractory disposition and course of conduct, resisting the authority of him who has a right to command, and opposing the leadings of Providence, to the injury of him who makes the resistance.’ It denotes ‘rebellion against lawful authority, and thus getting into greater difficulty by attempting to oppose the commands to duty.’ This is the condition of every sinner. If people wish to be happy, they should cheerfully submit to the authority of God. They should not rebel against his dealings. They should not complain against their Creator. They should not resist the claims of their consciences. By all this they only injure themselves. No man can resist God or his own conscience and be happy.” Those words, which are omitted here but which were obviously spoken, give us to believe that Paul knew in his heart that Jesus was the Messiah and that the report of His resurrection from the dead was true.
This now makes perfect sense why Jesus said this to Saul. By resisting the Lord he was injuring no one but himself. As I look back over my life I can see many times that I have exhibited this same problem. On many occasions I resisted my parents. I resisted law enforcement on one occasion. I resisted management at work and loved ones in my relationship. Like the ox against the goad, I ended up hurting myself on most occasions. But none of this hurt me as bad as resisting the Lord for most of my life. Like Saul, I finally stopped resisting and realized there is only one way of living and that is through the light of Jesus Christ. Now, whenever I’m having a bad day or I’m frustrated that things might not be going the way I think they should, I stop and make sure I’m not “kicking against the goads” again. Invariably, I find that is my problem and by putting our Lord and Savior in control, all things come into focus again.
If your struggling at times, stop and make sure you are not kicking against the goads!
http://kansasviking.com/blog/?p=116
**Found this fascinating.
I know that You will never forsake me in my weakness.
“Resting in God’s grace isn’t just about confessing your sin; it’s about forsaking your righteousness as well.”
—Whiter than snow - Paul Tripp
Genesis 6:5
“The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”
This verse is not describing a super-sinner class. It’s a mirror into which every human being is meant to look and see himself. It is capturing a few powerful words what theologians call, “Total Depravity.”
What it really means is that sin reaches to every aspect of our personhood. Its damage of us is total. Physically, emotionally, intellectually, spiritually, motivationally, socially, we have been damaged by sin.
Genesis 6:5 is an accurate description of ourselves.
Why is it so hard to accept? Why do I spontaneously rise to my own defense? Why am I devastated when my weakness, sin, and failures are pointed out? Why do I find confrontation and rebuke painful even when they are done in love? Why do I want to believe that I am in the good class of sinners? Why do I want to believe that I am deprived and not depraved? Why do I erect self-justifying arguments for what I have said or done? Why do I turn the tables when someone points out a wrong, making sure that they know that I know that we’re not the only sinner in the room?
There’ only one conclusion. I find all of this so hard to accept because I studiously hold onto the possibility that I’m more righteous than the Bible describes me to be.
God, your grace is my only hope and I will rest in your righteousness alone.
Fight or flight?
By fleeing the situation just because it seems difficult and to ultimately save myself would just confirm more of a coward I am and lead me more to a life of self centeredness. It will continue the cycle of pleasing man and ultimately self-glorification.
It takes courage to be humble.
Romans 8:37. We are more than conquerers through Christ who loved us.
Lord, give me courage. I want to do all things in the honor and glory of You.
1.Nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee! E’en though it be a cross that raiseth me, still all my song shall be,
nearer, my God, to thee; nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!
2.Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down, darkness be over me, my rest a stone; yet in my dreams I’d be
nearer, my God, to thee; nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!
3.There let the way appear, steps unto heaven; all that thou sendest me, in mercy given; angels to beckon me
nearer, my God, to thee; nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!
4.Then, with my waking thoughts bright with thy praise, out of my stony griefs Bethel I’ll raise; so by my woes to be
nearer, my God, to thee; nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!
5.Or if, on joyful wing cleaving the sky, sun, moon, and stars forgot, upward I fly, all my song shall be,
nearer, my God, to thee; nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!
People over money.
I’m responsible in carrying out what God works in me. He is responsible for its impact.
”My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things — that I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Saviour.” - John Newton.
Jesus, you truly are. Whomever the Son sets free is free indeed. John 8:36
HALLELUJAHHHHHH!!!!!
holiness & humility
Two things I desire and only You can mold in me Lord. God you are so humble and holy. I want to be like you.
“If you debate for a second when God has spoken, it is all up. Never begin to say -“Well, I wonder if He did speak?” Be reckless immediately, fling it all out on Him. You do not know when His voice will come, but whenever the realization of God comes in the faintest way imaginable, recklessly abandon. It is only by abandon that you recognize Him. You will only realize His voice more clearly by recklessness.” —Oswald Chambers
“If I am devoted to the cause of humanity only, I will soon be exhausted and come to the place where my love will falter; but if I love Jesus Christ personally and passionately, I can serve humanity though men treat me as a door-mat.” —Oswald Chambers
“The grace of God cost God His son.”
—Lord, I need grace to make it today. Kay Arthur
James, the straight up book.
Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days. 5:2-3
You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.5:5
You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. 5:8-9
Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. 5:11
All I can say at this point is: Lord, save me.
John 13:16
Truly, Truly I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
Do I no longer want to be humiliated for the sake of the gospel?
Do I no longer want to lay my life down so that others may come into the kingdom?
Have I grown proud to the point I have forgotten the reality of who I am in the presence of an almighty, awesome, and sovereign God?
Lord, it is by your great mercy that you show me the condition of my heart. I am disgusted but at the same time thankful that You are faithful. Break me for only You can do it. I want to be utterly humbled at your feet. Show me your glory.
