Gaza

Gaza: Rebellion

Gaza © Stained Glass Angels by B.David Warren

 Gaza literally means “strong place” and is sometimes used to refer to God.  However, when applied to humanity, it is used to denote arrogance and self-rule or authority over one’s own destiny.  Directly related to the pride earlier discussed, the Rebel spirit embodied in the essence of the word Gaza points to a stronghold that the Enemy uses to keep us from living a full life in God. 

Where pride will have you thinking you don’t need anyone to tell you what to do, Rebellion and self-rule leave you resenting those in authority over you.  Just as humility is the remedy for pride (lowering ourselves to the form of a servant as Jesus Christ did), submission is the remedy for  a rebellious spirit.

Submission is such a dirty word these days, but that is only because we have an adverse reaction because of our own rebellious spirit.  David faithfully served a mad king for years and so learned the value of submission and allowed God to be his shield and his refuge.  Christ demonstrated obedience for us in that (being in His right mind) He dreaded the cross but went to it willingly. 

Through His submission, Jesus set the world free from sin.  What might our submission bring?  In the very least, it will free us from rebellion.  Yet I also believe it will have an ember-storm effect and spread like wildfire to the hurting and broken who so desperately need to trust that God has their best intentions in hand.  It is so easy to submit when you keep in mind that God is kind and that He moves in love toward us at every moment.  There is no shadow in Him.

Recap:

Gaza = Rebellion

Remedy = Submission

Romans 5:19

^"For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous."

Jesus Loves Evansville

David Warren

Ashdod

 Ashdod: Pride

 

Ashdod literally means "City On a Hill".  Make no mistake, this was not a positive foreshadowing of the Church.  Rather, an anti-type.  Ashdod glorified itself and was all about vanity rather than displaying the glory of another.

As it was first of the Philistine cities David was able to overcome, it was not the first city.  The first city was Jebus (Jerusalem) which represented the heart of man and seat of the King.  After establishing his throne there, it was onto the Philistine strongholds.

One of the biggest threats to our hearts is PRIDE.  Self-glorification will ruin a life faster than anything else.  Now mind you, there is a difference between confident display of what God has done in one's life and self-serving pride.  They often are mistaken for one another.

David did not usurp the throne (he never touched the Lord's anointed) and he allowed God to establish him.  Jesus lowered himself and became a servant to all.  He obeyed to the point of death and became sin for us.  The King of Glory humbled Himself and so His mountain is higher than any self-made hill.  The Father has exalted the Son and every knee shall now, every tongue shall confess that He is Lord.

Ashdod was the house of Dagon who eventually lost his head before the Ark of the Covenant (Mercy seat of God).  The key to not losing your head; humility.  Learn to bow before Jesus and He will be the lifter (instead of the taker) of your head.

Recap:
Ashdod = Pride
Remedy = Humility

Proverbs 29:23
"One's pride will bring him low,
 but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor."

Jesus Loves Evansville,

David Warren