“And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself” (Luke 13:11).
I like how Matthew Henry describes “Miss Liberty.” First of all, “she had an infirmity, which an evil spirit, by divine permission, had brought upon her, which was such that she was bowed together by strong convulsions, and could in no wise lift up herself; and having been so long thus, the disease was incurable; she could not stand erect, which is reckoned man’s honour above the beasts. Observe. Though she was under this infirmity by which she was much deformed, and made to look mean, and not only so, but as is supposed, motion was very painful to her, yet she went to the synagogue on the sabbath day.” Our study writer also gives us some good insights about her in the introduction of week one of our study.
One thing about “Miss Liberty” that really impresses me. In spite of her physical limitations, you could find her worshipping in her “church” on the sabbath. She might have had feelings of frustration and helplessness, but, “Miss Liberty” understood the necessity of “take your burden to the Lord, and leave it there.”
Sue Winchester
Missouri
PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for all who participated in the Home Missions Heritage Tour this past weekend. Pray that God would give each a greater burden for this region of our nation and these key locations within Free Will Baptist history.
