This post was last updated on July 13, 2026

Day 89 (Year 2)

Persistence to Overcome Satan

“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.” (Luke 13:11 NKJV)

Today’s scripture offers several points worthy of reflection for believers. First, we should not lose heart when being spiritually oppressed. Although the woman had been unable to overcome the power of the devil for eighteen years, she did not give up. She refused to live under Satan’s oppression endlessly. We may have experienced prolonged oppression and difficulty, or being hurt by evil forces. And though our bodies may seem defeated, our spirits can still resist. The example this woman offers is “Never give up”. After long suffering and affliction, deliverance and freedom will finally come through Jesus, and endless torment will one day come to an end.

For years, the woman continually longed for healing plus the devil to leave her. Those who have illness or evil spirits can choose to accept them and coexist with them. But we who struggle to be freed from the devil and illness should regard our problems as something that will eventually pass away. We should insist on the hope for God’s deliverance and healing even for decades. This kind of faith for healing refuses to treat problems as normal or submit to devils or illness, but persists in seeking recovery and deliverance amid torments. In any case, we must hold on to the hope for His healing before the final deliverance comes. Perhaps fewer among those oppressed by evil spirits have the determination to fight for healing; that is why such healing is uncommon in the Gospels. But do you have the resolve to overcome prolonged suffering and pray for God’s deliverance?

The woman was not afraid of others’ eyes. She went into the crowd and appeared before Jesus. Many who sense evil spirits at work in their lives naturally choose to avoid people. For one thing, those with the devil at work may fear harming others, since it may also hurt those nearby. For another, having devils already at work within, contact with unsuitable people might intensify demonic oppression with greater sufferings. However, I believe the woman had great courage and faith that surpassed the devil’s oppression, causing her to appear before Jesus. Thus, even if we have been unable to overcome our problems for years, we must not be defeated by them; instead, we must limit their influence over us.

Reflection questions:

1) When a problem has gone unresolved for years, can you limit its influence over you rather than accepting it as normal? Why?

2) Even after years of difficulty, do you have the determination and perseverance to continually rely on the Lord’s work and strive to overcome all difficulties?