This post was last updated on July 10, 2026

Day 88 (Year 2)

Breaking Free from Satan’s Bondage

“And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, ‘Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.’ And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. … (Jesus explained,) ‘So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound– think of it–for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?'” (Luke 13:11-13, 16 NKJV)

People can have illness for many reasons, including congenital conditions, malnutrition, or other acquired causes. The scriptures above show that the woman had been afflicted by a devil for eighteen years. At that time, Jesus took the initiative to call her to come before Him; she submitted to His call and was then healed. I believe that hearing Jesus’ call and then walking toward Him while carrying both her illness and the devil within her must have been an uneasy journey. She believed that Jesus would help her, so she had the strength to come before Him. Moreover, she heard Jesus’ word declaring her freed from her illness, but she was not healed instantly. She had to wait for His hands to be laid upon her, and perhaps it was then that she felt the healing power of Jesus, after which her back bent for eighteen years could finally straighten. Similarly, when we hear the Lord Jesus’ promise of healing, healing may not come immediately. We must continue to seek the Lord’s work before completely receiving His healing.

Jesus explicitly stated that this daughter of Abraham should be released and set free on the Sabbath. Similarly, when we affirm our value before God, walk in His path of blessing, rest in Him, and are determined to be children of Abraham, we are more likely to receive His healing. In some cases, people may be physically or spiritually bound by Satan in a way that makes it difficult for them to understand God’s word. In such situations, they first need to pray for Jesus’ help, understand and obey His commands before freedom and healing can come. After being set free, we should go further in understanding Jesus’ word and follow Him wholeheartedly. Finally, after we receive His healing or help, we need to glorify Him and obey His commands unceasingly. Only then will we lastingly receive His blessing. If someone later turns back and loves the world, it will often lead such a person to face even greater calamity.

Reflection questions:

1) Are you willing to respond to Jesus’ commands and obey His word even in times of difficulty? Why?

2) When you hear that Jesus heals you but you have not yet felt any improvement, will you still hold on to the faith in Him? Why?