RESISTING GOD

November 20

Bible Reading: Acts 26:12-15

Acts 26:14, ”It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”

Recently one of my hospice patients teasingly shared with me she was in an ongoing discussion with God about her circumstances, but that so far, He had changed nothing.  Perhaps you’ve found yourself in a similar “Job-like” situation. But in the end no one has ever won an argument with God.

Plowing at night through rough, foggy seas, a battleship’s radar suddenly indicates an object directly in its path. The ship’s captain sends a radio signal, “We are on a collision course. Advise you to change course 10 degrees north.”  A response crackles over the radio: “Negative. We advise you to change course 10 degrees south.”  The captain can now see a blinking light from the approaching object. Perturbed, he bellows a reply: “I’m a ship’s captain. Change course 10 degrees north, now!”  “I’m a seaman second class,” comes the reply. “Advise that you change course 10 degrees south to avoid imminent collision.”  The captain is furious. He blurts another command: “This is a battleship! Change your course immediately!”  Back comes the calm reply: “This is a lighthouse.”  The battleship changed course.

Jesus confronted Saul, admonishing him that “it is hard for (him) to kick against the goads” (Acts 26:14).  A goad was a stick with a sharp point on the end to prod an ox when plowing.  The farmer would prick the animal with the goad to steer it in a certain direction.  If the animal kicked against the goad, it would be driven even further into the flesh, causing more pain.  Saul was passionately going his own way in his fight against Christianity, but not in the direction God wanted for him to go.  In fact, Saul’s path was hopeless inasmuch as Jesus had promised to build His church despite all the devil’s opposition. The esteemed Gamaliel wisely argued that if the cause of the Christians was from God, then those opposing it would find themselves “fighting against God” (Acts 5:39).  And that’s exactly where Saul found himself. 

Job argued with God.  The Psalmists sometimes questioned God about things.  Jonah dismissed God’s command and headed in the opposite direction.  The problem with resisting God is that He always gets His way in the end, and kicking against His goads is painful.  Come to think of it, it’s a good thing that God has His goads—lest we wander unimpeded.

“I have strayed like a lost sheep.  Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands.” – Psalm 119:76

HE LIFTED ME
In loving kindness Jesus came
My soul in mercy to reclaim,
And from the depths of sin and shame
Through grace He lifted me.

Refrain:
From sinking sand He lifted me,
With tender hand He lifted me,
From shades of night to plains of light,
O praise His name, He lifted me!

He called me long before I heard,
Before my sinful heart was stirred,
But when I took Him at His word,
Forgiven He lifted me. [Refrain]

His brow was pierced with many a thorn,
His hands by cruel nails were torn,
When from my guilt and grief, forlorn,
In love He lifted me. [Refrain]

Now on a higher plane I dwell,
And with my soul I know ’tis well;
Yet how or why, I cannot tell,
He should have lifted me. [Refrain]

Unknown's avatar

Author: looking2jesus13

Jerry L. Conklin was born and raised in Hillsboro, Oregon. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for six years in the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program. He was assigned to the USS *Omaha* (SSN-692), a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, where he served as a reactor-plant electrical operator. His military service took him to ports and locations throughout the world and provided extensive technical training, leadership experience, and an enduring appreciation for those who serve in the Armed Forces. Following his Navy service, Jerry earned a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Technology from Thomas Edison State University. He worked at the Trojan Nuclear Plant near Rainier, Oregon, first as a reactor operator and later as a training specialist. After sensing God’s call to pastoral ministry, he left the nuclear-power industry and earned a master’s degree in theology from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Jerry served for twenty-seven and a half years as senior pastor of Lewis and Clark Bible Church in Astoria, Oregon. During those years, he preached and taught the Scriptures, provided pastoral counseling, performed weddings and memorial services, trained church leaders, and served individuals and families throughout the community. He also served as a fire department chaplain and participated in a variety of community ministries. After retiring from full-time pastoral ministry, Jerry and his wife, Laura, moved to Heppner, Oregon. There he served for approximately four years as a chaplain with Pioneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice, providing spiritual and emotional support to more than 150 patients and their families. In 2023, the Oregon Association for Home Care honored him as its Chaplain of the Year. Jerry also helped establish South Morrow County Seniors Matter, a nonprofit organization created to address the needs of older adults following the COVID-19 pandemic. As chairman, he worked with community leaders and volunteers to develop a weekly senior meal program, a monthly veterans’ lunch, and other activities and services. The organization served hundreds of seniors, mobilized more than 200 volunteers, and received statewide and national recognition. In 2025, Jerry was named Heppner’s Man of the Year, and his community service was later recognized by United States Senator Jeff Merkley. International missions have also been an important part of Jerry’s ministry. He has made ten trips to Uganda, where he has taught at pastors’ conferences, preached in churches, participated in Bible-school graduations, distributed Bibles and Christian materials, and encouraged local pastors and ministry leaders. He developed the discipleship booklet *First Steps with Jesus* to help new believers understand and grow in their faith. Jerry is the author of numerous books, Bible studies, devotionals, and teaching resources, including works centered on prayer, Christian hope, spiritual growth, and the person of Jesus Christ. His decades of preaching and teaching reflect his commitment to presenting biblical truth clearly, practically, and faithfully. Jerry and Laura were married for nearly forty-two years and raised four children. They were also blessed with three grandchildren. Laura passed away in August 2025 following an eight-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Jerry currently lives in Hillsboro, where he helps care for his elderly father. He continues to preach, teach, write, and serve others through pastoral and community ministry.

Leave a comment