First it was the D-Day Invasion. Then, it was Pearl Harbor. Hollywood's latest attempts to make blockbuster movies based on decisive historical events that are almost unknown to a younger generation. Now, thanks to the movie "Pearl Harbor" and countless books and TV specials about it, millions of people have either remembered or learned about the deadly events of December 7, 1941. The Japanese invasion of America's Pacific base at Pearl Harbor left thousands dead and wounded and the American fleet severely crippled. It was a surprise, an attack no one knew was coming. And that's why it was so damaging.
Well, I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Preventing Pearl Harbor."
History suggests that there were warnings that the Japanese attack was coming. If only someone had acted on those warnings. If only someone had known where the attack was going to come.
Of course, the idea of a sneak attack isn't exactly original. Followers of Jesus Christ have been the victims of many personal "Pearl Harbors" over the years - surprise attacks from the enemy of everyone who belongs to Jesus--Satan himself. He is, according to the Bible, "a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour." And too many times you and I have been sunk by his attack, haven't we? It doesn't have to be that way. You can know where his attack is going to come. You need to know where his attack is going to come.
2 Corinthians 2:11, our word for today from the Word of God, tells us to be ready so that "Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes." Let me suggest what I believe is the central strategy Satan has for sinking us. He uses many weapons to accomplish it, but they all are aimed at one target. If he can succeed in this one objective, he has got you where he wants you.
You may remember when Peter accepted Jesus' invitation to step out of the boat and walk on water. It was stormy, the wind was brutal, but "Peter got down out of the boat walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, 'Lord, save me!" (Matthew 14:29-30). What sank Peter? Getting his eyes off Jesus!
That's what always sinks us. And that is what all of Satan's attacks are trying to get you to do - because the devil can never beat Jesus...he can always beat you. As long as you're focused on Jesus, he cannot bring you down. So - what is Satan using to get your eyes off Jesus and focused on something else? It could be a strained relationship...stress at work or maybe stress at home...a particular temptation you're susceptible to. Maybe it's your tendency to worry and get you focused on your anxieties...it's your fears maybe...the pain of your past that you keep dwelling on...your feelings of not being worth much that he continually exploits...maybe it's a distracting relationship in your life?
Whatever his weapon is, it's time to wake up and see that this is a sneak attack from Satan...to take your stand against it, and say, "You know what? It's not going to work this time. I know who this is, and in Jesus' Name, I'm not going down this time!"
Or, in the words of Ephesians, "Take your stand against the devil's schemes!" You don't have to be sunk again!