*JESUS
DISCIPLINE DIRECTS YOU*
And
he said, Who are you, lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom you persecute. It
is hard for you to kick against the goads.
(Act
9:5 MKJV)
*The
proverb Jesus quoted to Saul on his conversion to Paul “It is hard for
you to kick against the goads.” Was a Greek saying well known by the Jews and
anyone in agriculture. An Ox goad was a stick with a sharp pointed piece of
iron on the tip used to prod oxen when ploughing. The farmer would gently prick
the animal in the direction it should go, at times the Ox would retaliate by
kicking this goad and this would cause much pain to the Ox till it went in the
required direction.
*Thus
we have Saul who tried everything in his power to stop Christianity but in his
effort was found to be kicking against the goads, that is resisting God’s
direction for his life. He was knocked off his horse and blinded at his
conversion before fulfilling God’s Will for his life. At times we to may be
trying to fight Jesus by resisting His direction only hindering and hurting our
own destiny.
*Even
the evil religious leaders who arrested Peter and John realized that if they
were God sent they could not fight or prevail against God’s Will. . .but if it
comes from God, you cannot possibly defeat them. You could find yourselves
fighting against God!" The Council followed Gamaliel's advice. (Act 5:39)
*The
Lord Jesus is your good shepherd and is always giving wise words of direction
to you for your own benefit. Trust the prompting of the Holy Ghost not the
feelings of the flesh . . . The words of the wise are as goads, and as
nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from
one shepherd. (Ecc 12:11)
*The
children of Israel turned an eleven day journey into a forty year journey because
they rejected God’s direction and were found to be painfully kicking against
the goads. Jacob, Jonah, David and others found out the hard way that obeying
God first time is always better. If you can quickly respond to God’s discipline
your life will flourish with less effort and pain.
ACT
Obey
and submit to the direction of Jesus.
Learn
to quickly respond to His correction and avoid delays.
Ask
Jesus to show you, if you are not sure where you are not following His
direction.
SEE;
*Have
you forgotten the encouraging words which God speaks to you as his children?
"My child, pay attention when the Lord corrects you, and do not be
discouraged when he rebukes you.
(Heb
12:5 GNB)
*If
the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more
strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.
(Ecc
10:10)
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