THE GOSPEL OF LUKE: - Vital Christianity

59Demons can also cause rebellion against God:“They are spirits of demons performing miraculous signs and they go out to thekings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of GodAlmighty” (Rev 16:14).Here we see demons instigating rebellion for the last great battle.THE CONDITION OF THE WOMAN WHO PLEADS FOR HELP (13:12)The description of this woman’s infirmity suggests that the bones of her spine wererigidly fused together.The spirit had been cast out, and the woman was freed from the bond of Satan and fromher physical handicap (Lk 13:12).We see in these verses a striking example of diligence in the use of means of grace. We aretold of a "woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could notstraiten up." Sickness was no excuse with her for tarrying from God's house. In spite of suffering andinfirmity, she found her way to the place where the day and the word of God were honored, and where thepeople of God met together. And truly she was blessed in her deed! She found a rich reward for all herpains. She came sorrowing and went home rejoicing.The devotion of this Jewess may put to shame many strong and healthy “religious” people whoallow the most frivolous excuses to keep them away from the house of God. How many treat Sunday asany other day? How many even scoff and sneer at those who "keep the Sabbath holy"? How many think itis a sign of devotion to attend the public worship of God once on Sunday? And regard a secondattendance as a needless excess of zeal which mark fanatics? How many find religious services boringwhen they do attend, and feel relieved when they are over?How different we find David's spirit, who said,"I was glad when they said to me, Let us go into the house of the Lord" (Ps 122:1)."How lovely are your tabernacles, O Lord of Hosts!" (Ps 84:1).Now, what is the explanation of all this? What is the reason so few are like the woman of whomwe read this day? The answer to these questions is short and simple. Most have no heart for God's service.They have no delight in God's presence or God's day. "The carnal mind is enmity against God." Themoment a man's heart is converted, these pretended difficulties about attending public worship vanishaway. The new heart finds no trouble in keeping the Sabbath holy. Where there is a will there is always away.