Know Your Enemy…
July 19, 2021 6:27 AM
Shannan Howlett
Word given to 7-10-21
Several days ago, I was preparing to feed my 6 dogs. I have a trashcan on my back porch filled with dry food and I usually prepare their food mid-afternoon. I live in a heavily wooded area with huge trees surrounding my house and property. As I was scooping the food, I felt a sting on my head and then another and another and another. Something then attacked my chest and I began to run in my house realizing they were in my hair. As I pulled them out they began to sting my hands. Finally I got a brush and brushed them out of my hair. I was able to kill one and upon googling it later found out it was called a baldfaced hornet.
Instantly, my head filled with what seemed like 1000’s of stabbing spikes going through my scalp. It was so incredibly painful I found it hard to think straight about what to do next. Providentially, my daughter called at that exact moment and I was able to tell her to google and find out what I needed to do. I live almost an hour away from the nearest hospital so it was imperative that I treat this immediately from home. She called back giving me some ideas and I heard the word Benadryl in my spirit so I went to the medicine chest and took some. I also used some essential oils applied directly to the whelps. I felt like my throat was beginning to swell but quickly reminded the Lord that my husband and I had prayed protection over our lives that very day and I believed I had received. After this prayer, I was able to sleep helping to aid the healing process. The pain continued throughout the night but was greatly reduced the next day. I am fine now.
The baldfaced hornet is small but very aggressive. When it feels threatened it will attack ruthlessly and has the ability to sting multiple times without the loss of its life. They make their nests in trees and are generally agitated by noise. The best prevention is to find the nest and exterminate it.
The morning after this occurred I enquired of the Lord, “Why? Why was this allowed after I had prayed in faith for the protection of my life and family.” Immediately, I heard His response, “Know your enemy.” He just kept saying it over and over. As I was pondering this word, I began to examine my steps to see where I was missing it.
People, we are walking in a new day of evil. People, stop living as if this is the old America. Hundreds of thousands of people have entered our borders illegally with evil intent to harm and steal. Children and young adults are being snatched right out from under our noses. Your every move on social medias and even your emails are being watched and recorded moment by moment. Soon they are going to come to your front door and try to get you to take a shot that interferes with your DNA. You are being censored and silenced. And what are we doing? Planning our next vacation! Making plans for the next “fun” event, living as if we don’t have a care in the world. Oh sure there is a remnant that is paying attention, but for the most part people are living without a clue as to the storm that is at the door!
People, be watchful. Be alert. Be vigilant. Be led by the Spirit. Be prayed up. Put on your whole armor. Just because you have done it one way in the past does not mean you can continue to do it that way. Do not underestimate your opponent. The enemy is unleashed knowing he has but a very short time. We cannot live our lives as if it is business as usual. When you wonder too close to his hive of operations he is going to come at you with a vengeance. He is relentless in his pursuit to kill, steal, and destroy and we can no longer live our days in a lackadaisical manner.
Now, when I go to get food to feed my dogs my head is shorn with a veiled hat (ordered that very day off Amazon) (as beekeepers wear). I am cautious about the noise I am making. I am diligently looking for that hive so we may exterminate it. I am doing it at a different time of day as I know they are more active at certain times.
People, know your enemy.
KNOW YOUR ENEMY!
Know your enemy and trust Jesus!
The Bible says in 1 Peter 5:8- “Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for the enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour.”
Proverbs 27:12 A prudent person sees evil and hides himself; But the naive proceed, and pay the penalty.
Proverbs 14:16 A wise man suspects danger and cautiously avoids evil, but the fool bears himself insolently and is [presumptuously] confident.
1 Thessalonians 5:6 Accordingly then, let us not sleep, as the rest do, but let us keep wide awake (alert, watchful, cautious, and on our guard) and let us be sober (calm, collected, and circumspect).
Ephesians 6:11-18 Put on God’s whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil.
12 For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.
13 Therefore put on God’s complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place].
14 Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God,
15 And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the [a]firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness [b]produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace.
16 Lift up over all the [covering] shield of [c]saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one].
17 And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit [d]wields, which is the Word of God.
18 Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God’s consecrated people).
