Let’s take a look at the book of Ephesians, chapter 6, verse 13 today. Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Ephesians 6:13 The Message Bible
Over the past few years, I have seen many people come under an attack that literally took them out. Either it took their life or it took their livelihood. Neither of those are from God.
Although God often gets the blame for bad things, the Bible remains clear: The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy, but Jesus came that we might have life and life more abundantly.
God doesn’t bring the attack but He has promised us that when we trust Him in it, that He will bring us out of it and turn it for our good. I have seen Him do that very thing over and over in my own life. I have discovered that there is often a key to victory in the storm.
I believe one of the keys is being prepared before the storm hits. Most people who are suddenly attacked with sickness or debt or divorce are not prepared for it. You see, in the natural when we know a storm is coming, we make provision for it and prepare ourselves for it. By doing that we often suffer the very least effects of a storm. I know in my area, when I hear a storm is coming or tornado warning, I make provision. I get candles out, make sure my cell phone is charged, and do other things I feel will keep me safe in the midst of the storm.
We may board up the windows, tie things down, whatever it takes to keep our stuff intact during the storm. This is the same thing we need to do in the spirit.
1 Peter 5:8 says Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lions, seeking whom he may devour. You see the enemy is seeking someone to devour. He is seeking someone to bring a storm against who is not ready or prepared for it.
My Dad was saved in the last few months of his life. He died of cancer. When the storm hit, he did not have a relationship with Jesus Christ and he was not prepared for it. He wanted to fight but he didn’t have the foundation he needed to stand against the storm. I see that same thing over and over again. The storm hits and people are scrambling to build a storm shelter during the storm. That is almost impossible. If the storm has already hit, you must hang on to God with all you have. The best thing would be to establish our place in Him before the storm hits.
You can’t build a storm shelter during the storm. If you find yourself in that place, you will have to battle in the storm. As believers we can build our shelters before the storm comes and then we are ready. When we are prepared, we will not feel the effects of the storm – we will be hidden in our shelter – in our God.
Years ago, I prayed healing scriptures over me every single day. Was I sick? No, I just prayed them as part of my confessions. During that time, I didn’t even have a cold. Years went by and I stopped being as persistent at my confessions and I began to get sick all the time, I would catch every bug that came along. One day it dawned on me that I had stopped my confessions on healing.
You see, I had built my shelter from sickness and it kept me safe no matter what virus came along. Through the word of God we have the ability to build a shelter for every thing the enemy could ever bring against us. God has made provision through his word to keep us safe and secure from every storm. It’s in the word of God.
Today, I encourage you to begin to build a shelter against storms. Build yourself up in God. Speak His word over every area of your life. If you are married, build a shelter against divorce and division – begin to speak God’s word over your marriage every day. Build a shelter against sickness by speaking healing scriptures over you daily. Build a shelter against lack by speaking the word of God over your finances and then being obedient with your money as the Bible commands. Build a shelter for your children by speaking Gods word over them daily.
You see, to be vigilant is to take heed lest through indolence or idleness or inactivity some destructive calamity suddenly overtakes you. That is what I see taking most people out – calamity suddenly overtakes them – and they are not spiritually prepared for it. One thing I know, if you are spiritually prepared, you can stand through any storm and be like the Message Bible says in Ephesians 6:13; when it’s all over but the shouting, you will be on your feet. Praise God!
To be vigilant is to be active or to pay attention – take action today in building your shelters. Establish them sturdy enough to support you and your family through any storm that may come your way. Apply the word of God through your confession to every area of your life. Then when the enemy is seeking someone whom he may devour – he will have to pass you by – for you will be well prepared to take him out and be the last one standing. 
