¹⁴ One day Jesus cast out a demon from a man who couldn’t speak, and when the demon was gone, the man began to speak. The crowds were amazed, ¹⁵ but some of them said, “No wonder he can cast out demons. He gets his power from Satan, the prince of demons.” ¹⁶ Others, trying to test Jesus, demanded that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority.

¹⁷ He knew their thoughts, so he said, “Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A family splintered by feuding will fall apart. ¹⁸ You say I am empowered by Satan. But if Satan is divided and fighting against himself, how can his kingdom survive? ¹⁹ And if I am empowered by Satan, what about your own exorcists? They cast out demons, too, so they will condemn you for what you have said. ²⁰ But if I am casting out demons by the power of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you. ²¹ For when a strong man is fully armed and guards his palace, his possessions are safe— ²² until someone even stronger attacks and overpowers him, strips him of his weapons, and carries off his belongings.

²³ “Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.

Luke 11:14-23

Dear God, in the midst of great national division I can’t help but wonder about the United States in relation to Jesus’s words about a kingdom divided against itself being doomed. Yes, right now, it feels like we are doomed. And I’m ready for that because while my citizenship is in this earthly kingdom of the United States, and I want to do my part to make it as successful as it can be for those around me, I know that my real identity is in you and beyond this earthly life. My eternity with you will be so, so, so much longer than my 55+ years (I’m 55 now) on this earth. I am but a speck of dust, but I will be at least a part of your kingdom after my life here is done, even if I am the least in the kingdom, I’d rather serve there than reign in hell.

The other thing about this passage is that I need some good teaching on demon possession and exorcisms from teachers I trust. Should I be praying about this more? Should I be calling out demons more? Should I be giving credit where credit is due with demons? Am I totally underestimating demonic activity among those around me who are struggling or even in my own life? Help me to find some good teaching on this that I might understand.

Father, my family is feuding and has fallen apart, and I still don’t understand it. Please heal and unite. My community is divided. My country. My world. Don’t let this pain be wasted. Help us to use it for your glory. And guide me as I learn more and more about you and the realm of the unseen that is around me. Give me eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to discern.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen