Sin caused the first suffering and death in humanity (Genesis 2:27), though the glory of God — not sin — may be the reason why God allows some to suffer, as demonstrated by the blind man healed by Jesus (John 9:2-3). Physical affliction can also be the result of demonic oppression, which will require demons to be cast out, such as the apparently epileptic boy healed by Jesus (Mark 9:14-29). “Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead. But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose” (Mark 9:25-27 KJV). Whether the weighty theological terminology of ‘demon possession’ or ‘demon oppression’ is used, matters not. When by “prayer and fasting” (9:29) the influence of an evil spirit is cast out of an individual — verbally, so even the devil can hear the command — it must be replaced by the filling of God’s Spirit of Love, or face the danger of becoming only worse than before. “Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation” (Matthew 12:45). LORD, may we wisely learn to cast out demons to build Your kingdom, and may Your Spirit be put in their place, for love “shall cover the multitude of sins” (1Peter 4:8). Return quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen and amen.
Drive Away Evil Spirits
Blessed Sleep
Who doesn’t want to get a good night’s sleep? Before we can get that sleep, of course, God must give it. “It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so He giveth His beloved sleep” (Psalm 127:2 KJV). Too much caffeine, excessive liquids, too hot, too cold, too much noise, inconsistent sleep patterns are only a few things that may prevent that sleep. David’s first contact with Saul was to play a harp to help the king feel better, when he was troubled by an evil spirit allowed by God to harass and disturb the king (1Samuel 16:15). We may initially not be theologically receptive that God would give the enemy permission to harass us, but Paul’s “thorn in the flesh, the messenger [Greek, aggelos, angel] of Satan [Greek, Satân, adversary] to buffet me” (2Corinthians 12:7) was just that. Certainly, we should petition for sleep and “glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (12:9), if the LORD does not give that sleep. But, we just may be benefitted by playing not-too-loud, soothing, calming, rejoicing, uplifting, overcoming, faith-filled Christian music without a driving beat as we sleep (through in-ear, wireless bluetooth earbuds connected to a smartphone music app) to gain the benefit that God allowed David to give Saul. “And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him” (1Samuel 16:23).
We Need A Miracle 