Bible Verse of the Day Thursday December 7th, 2023

1 Peter 5:8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Eighty-two years ago, on this date, at approximately 8 am on a bright sunny morning on the Island of Oahu, the empire of Japan attacked the United States Naval base at Pearl Harbor. There were somewhere around 350 Japanese warplanes that carried out the attack, and most of our ships were either destroyed or rendered out of service. There were over 2400 people killed and another 1200 wounded. We lost over two hundred fighter planes and bombers. The Japanese force destroyed five battleships and three destroyers, along with eight other ships; let us never forget the many men and women who gave their lives that day in defense of this great Nation. It was a surprise and malicious attack on a peaceable nation that thrust the United States into the Second World War. President Roosevelt called it “a date that will live in infamy.”

The Holy Word of God often utilizes a symbolism of war in the metaphor of the Christian as a soldier in the army of God, depicting our daily battles with Satan. The Apostle Paul made the image of the Christian soldier fighting in God’s Army against the wiles of Satan. Paul made it clear in His letter to the Church at Ephesus. (Ephesians 6:10-13). As we all pause in silent reverence on the anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, there are some thoughts that we can reflect upon. Satan attacks are very similar to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

Much like the sailors, soldiers, marines, airmen, and civilian workers were surprised by that attack, Satan hits us when we are at our weakest and aims for our least protected areas. Satan will drop his bombs on our lives, leaving us wounded and seeking cover. It is amazing how fast Satan can come out of his hiding spots and hit us when we are the least prepared. It is astonishing how suddenly he can sneak up on us. One minute we are fine, the next, we are fighting off some fleshly assault of word or deed. Peters warning is fitting.

 

1 Peter 5:8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

 

The United States had been a bystander in the war that was already raging by the time of the Pearl Harbor attack. The actions of the Japanese military complex forced us as a nation to defend our country. In much the same way, the actions of others in our sphere of influence will cause us to take a stand. Paul calls on all Christians to put on the full Armor of God so that Satan’s attacks will not take us by surprise (Ephesians 6:10-18). Spiritual warfare is real. Satan is clever, cunning, shrewd, and an expert in sneak attacks. Don’t be deluded by his guile; stay alert, stand strong, and be on guard.