1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”

DAILY READING • Matthew 24:32-51; Numbers 28-29; Song of Solomon 8:5-14

Pearl Harbor is a U.S. naval base near Honolulu, Hawaii.
It is located near the center of the Pacific Ocean, roughly 2,000 miles from the U.S. mainland and about 4,000 miles from Japan.
No one believed that the Japanese would start a war with an attack on the distant islands of Hawaii. But it turned out to be the scene of a devastating surprise attack by Japanese forces on December 7, 1941.
Because American military leaders were not expecting an attack so close to home, the naval facilities at Pearl Harbor were relatively undefended.
The Americans were so sure, Japan would not attack, that despite the many signs that a strike was imminent, the US military ignored them.
In the days and hours leading up to the raid, American code breakers had noted an abundance of ominous chatter from the Japanese communication lines.
American radar operators even detected the Japanese warplanes as they approached Pearl from the north and sent out warnings, but these warnings went unheeded.
The Japanese plan was simple: Destroy the Pacific Fleet. That way, the Americans would not be able to fight back as Japan’s armed forces spread across the South Pacific.
On December 7, 1941, after months of planning and practice, the Japanese launched their attack.
At about 8 a.m., Japanese planes filled the sky over Pearl Harbor. Bombs and bullets rained onto the vessels moored below.
American soldiers at the Naval Base, awoke to the sounds of alarms, bombs exploding, and gunfire.
Sleepy-eyed men jumped off their bunks, running in a hurry to their stations.
The U.S Navy had been caught so completely off guard that even their ammunition stores were still locked. Guns were unmanned and the aircrafts were parked on the ground.
Though the Americans tried to recover quickly and attack back, the Japanese having the element of surprise on their side, wielded the upper hand.
In less than three hours the Japanese had accomplished their mission and departed, leaving behind devastation that killed more than 2,300 Americans and destroyed twelve ships and 160 aircrafts.
News of the attack took America by surprise. The next day the American President declared war on Japan. Though America would eventually gain victory over Japan, yet the attack at Pearl Harbor taught them a great lesson about military alertness.

The battles of life often come suddenly. At such times, it is your level of preparedness and the reserve of power you have that will pull you through.
Oftentimes, the enemy strikes most when men are spiritually weak. In Matthew 13:25, it was while men slept or were spiritually weak, that the enemy sowed tares.
The Japanese succeeded because their strategy was to carry out a massive attack while the Americans were still sleeping and unprepared.
In wars, each side always tries to attack the other side at their weakest point. The same principle applies spiritually, this is why we must always live ready.
Although the elements of his temptations vary, the enemy keeps looking for those unguarded areas of a believer’s life to strike at.
We therefore need to recognize our weak spots, and continually work at strengthening them. We need to bring every weakness and temptation to the Lord immediately, asking Him for the strength to resist.
Oftentimes before an attack, we will receive warning signs. One of these signs is low spiritual fire and loss of fervency.. To avoid being caught off guard, we must keep our fire burning through spending time in the study of the Word, prayers and worship. In these last days, as the battle gets hotter, there is an urgent need for revival. Indeed we need revival for survival!
Indeed it is God’s plan for every believer to be fervent in prayers. Just as the early Church experienced mighty power, God is getting ready for a mighty move of His power upon the earth.
In these last days, God is raising up a mighty army of Blood-washed, Holy Ghost filled, fire-baptized, tongue-talking, sin-hating, Jesus-loving Believers.
God gave us a picture of this great army in Joel 2. It is through this great company of believers that God ’s power will sweep through the earth to make His enemies His footstool.
For us to be part of this great move we must rightly position ourselves individually through accepting spiritual responsibility .
The Power of God only comes on those who pray.
Understand that we are in warfare with a vicious enemy who is looking for every opportunity to kill, steal and destroy. Especially in these end-times, the enemy is on a mission of destruction because he knows his time is short. Therefore you cannot afford to allow any form of spiritual weakness in any area of your life.
Do everything you can to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Certainly when every inch of us is sold out to Jesus and every part of us is consecrated and devoted to Him, there will be no room for the enemy to attack.

PRAYER: Father, today, through the Blood of Jesus I draw the strength to constantly overcome every spiritual weakness and live in victory and dominion in Jesus Name.
QUOTE;
When you obey God’s instruction you are delivered from destruction. – WORDBITE 222