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