The Enemy's Premtive Strike

The Enemy's Pre-emptive Strike

Job 1:13-17 NKJV

[13] Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house; [14] and a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, [15] when the Sabeans raided them and took them away—indeed they have killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!” [16] While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them; and I alone have escaped to tell you!” [17] While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three bands, raided the camels and took them away, yes, and killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

     A pre-emptive strike is a first-strike attack. In the military, it may be done as an act of self defence, but in spiritual warfare it is used by the devil as an act of dominion. This strike is  launched with the intention of crippling your ability to retaliate. The term is most commonly used in the context of nuclear strategy, where a first strike would aim to destroy the opponent's nuclear arsenal (e.g., missile silos, submarine bases, bomber airfields) and command and control centers, thus preventing a devastating counterattack. This is what America did to Iran recently . So all the people who would have gathered around Job in prayers and intercession were wiped out by that pre-emptive strike. The strike continued till v.20 when Job declared that he came out of the mother's womb empty, and will return same.

     The very goal of any response is not just to retaliate, but to re-establish deterrence and prevent further escalation. In spiritual warfare, some prayers are preventive, others are fostering. You have to know the difference and when to apply which. There are prayers you can pray alone, and there are prayers you must extend it's influence by co-opting others. In Job's case, many did not even understand what he was experiencing. At a time, the wife told him to curse God and die. You must have prayer partners. It's time to repel the bombardment of the enemy. Start today. Good morning.