United to Overcome Spiritual Oppression
So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. (Acts 12:5)
Spiritual oppression is real, but we can overcome. Today we celebrate Mary Magdalene’s Day. We welcome and join the Christian Women Fellowship as they lead us in this commemoration. Although a lot of information is known about this Mary Magdalene, two points stand out – the denigrated victim in crisis, and dignified victor in Christ: that she was healed and restored by Jesus Christ when he drove seven demons out of her, and that she was the first to whom the risen Jesus appeared. One verse in the Markan resurrection account provides this summary: “When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons.” (Mark 16:9) From this survivor, we have two important lessons regarding dealing with spiritual oppression.
First, never give up, even in the darkest crisis. Mary’s condition under spiritual oppression must have been a terrible one – under the influence of seven demons! But worse still, the later situation of having Jesus killed was much bigger spiritual oppression, but she did not give up; and in both situations, she comes out as a victor. In the case of the situation of the bereaved church in Acts 12 was also very tough – having lost Apostle James at the hands of the oppressive King Herod Agrippa, and with Apostle Peter arrested and waiting to be executed. The church was heartbroken and threatened, but they did not give up. “So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him” (Acts 12:5). Do not give up knocking on heaven’s door for that freedom from spiritual oppression, no matter how dire the situation gets.
Secondly, we are stronger to overcome when united with likeminded people. Never despair thinking you are facing the oppression alone; someone may either be going through the same situation or has overcome that situation in the past. Mary worked and went with two others to the tomb; they faced and dealt with the ugly circumstances together. In the same way, the bereaved and threatened church was earnestly praying for Peter as a united force. As the Preacher says, “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” (Eccl 4:12) You are not alone.
It could be you, a relative, a friend or a cell member, that has faced spiritual oppression; for some this has caused challenges and difficulties in academics or career growth, or family life, or business, or physical or mental health. Do not give up, and work in unity with some people, and be assured to be lifted like Mary from the status of the denigrated victim in crisis to the dignified victor in Christ.
God bless you!