Bring Them Back: Devotions From Time of Grace MinistrySample

THE PERIL: THE ENEMY

On Dec. 7, 1941, the naval aviators of the Empire of Japan achieved total surprise in their early morning attack on Pearl Harbor. Absolutely nobody in a U.S. uniform saw it coming. In fact, even when the bombers, torpedo planes, and Zeros with their "rising sun" insignia flew directly overhead, many U.S. personnel thought it was just a training exercise.

We have an enemy brooding in hell who is more dangerous than the Empire of Japan or any earthly threat or evil all rolled into one. Satan, the prince of darkness, has committed himself to destroying the relationship that exists between believers and their Savior Jesus and fully plans to enjoy all the suffering that he can inflict on them. All too often people don't see his nasty work and are caught by surprise at the destruction he causes.

St. Paul wrote, "Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:12).

One of the great tragedies of Pearl Harbor is that U.S. radar operators were tracking the Japanese planes when they were still hundreds of miles north of Oahu. But the operators said little, and what they did report wasn't believed. You'd better listen to St. Paul. He's telling you the truth.