September 30, 2012 – Allen and Diane Lake
“For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth… but the Lord will arise… and His glory will be seen…” (Isa. 60:2)
I shot another coyote.
Allow me to explain, lest you think I’m some kind of bloodthirsty throwback to a pioneer woman, or something. You would already know from our previous article “Shooting Coyotes and Shifting Nations” that I recently shot a coyote; it had become way too bold in the rural setting where we live. As I said, I believe the Holy Spirit spoke into this situation that He had set me up, and that as the body of Christ we must take a stand against the kingdom of darkness, and recognize the times we are in.
This time, a lone coyote attacked our dog. It started when I spotted a coyote one morning sitting on the hillside across the creek from our house—it was just sitting there. My husband went outside for a gun, so he didn’t see when this coyote took off like a shot, ran straight for the house and for our dog. I ran outside yelling—both to my husband (about what was happening), and at our dog (who was in full protective mode and would not back off). My husband had to shoot just to break them up when they separated just enough, but was unable to hit the coyote and it ran off.
Here’s what’s fascinating. During the night time hours, the Lord had been moving and speaking to me that He had released something to us, and that the kingdom of darkness had tried hard to prevent this from happening. The Lord said it was too late—they knew it was done, but that so long as we obeyed Him, He would never let anything happen to us. He gave me the scripture, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Heb. 13:5; Deut. 31:6, 8)
The very next morning, I watched this attack on our dog unfold. Now, coyotes just don’t behave in the manner that we saw; it would have had to been rabid… or demonically driven. I believe what we witnessed was a demonic manifestation in response to the word the Lord had given the night before, and that we were witness to the battle in the spirit that surrounds us.
This should not unnerve or surprise us. The demonic constantly manifested in the presence of Jesus—sometimes with great violence. (See Mark 5:13.) Jesus brought the kingdom to earth, and instilled it inside us. (Mark 1:15, Luke 17:21) Since we carry His light and His presence, perhaps we should be surprised if the kingdom of darkness doesn’t manifest around us!
Fast-forward one week. I’m at home alone, and spot a coyote on the hillside across from our house—not as close as before, but at what would be a decent shot. I decided to go outside and try it. By the time I shot, it was walking slowly away at about 200 yards—and I nailed it. It was a much longer shot than the first time, and I have to say; it was satisfying to be able to defend my own. I do not necessarily enjoy shooting coyotes, but I am willing to do what needs to be done.
While it’s true that Revelation 12:11 is key for the saints in this season, verse 12 reminds us of the enemy’s fury. This is not cause for fear, but for holding fast to the promises of God—He will never leave us nor forsake us! The Lord is raising up an end time army that will not turn back or give in. (Joel 2:1-11) The Lord thunders at the head of this army, and mighty are those who obey His command! (vs. 11) It is not enough to confess Him; it is not enough to believe Him. If we are to be victorious, we must also obey Him.
In the spiritual sense, we must recognize the times we are in. The darkness—even deep darkness, is increasing around us, but the light of the Lord is brighter still. (Isa. 60:1-3) There is going to be something moving on the earth soon—a move of the Spirit greater than anything yet seen. The kingdom of darkness is not going to stand quietly by and let God manifest His glory—it will require an army of the Lord ready for spiritual battle, that recognizes and knows its opponent, and is willing to do what needs to be done. Let’s be that conquering army!
Prayer Points
• Pray that each one in the body of Christ will understand what they are to be doing. It’s not enough to be simply “doing”; we must be saying and doing what we hear from the Father, for those are the things that will bring everlasting life—both to us and to those around us. (John 12:49, 50)
• Pray that the body of Christ will be patient and endure. We have entered a new season of “pressing in,” and will need to not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. (Gal. 6:9)
• Pray for divine connections in this season. The Lord is knitting and connecting saints within His church in order that key strategies might be released in the earth. It will require faith and a belief that the Lord is ready to perform His word. (Luke 18:8, Jer. 1:12)
• Pray for an increase in signs and wonders within the body of Christ. If the church is to do the “greater works” (John 14:12), then we must not be offended by the demonstration of the kingdom around us, even when those signs might make us wonder! Even many of Jesus’ own disciples were offended by the deep things of God revealed that they could not understand. (John 6:61-66)
• Finally, pray that the saints would know and understand the heart of the Lord for our times. The days ahead will bring much tribulation, but through it the Lord will use us to bring in His great harvest! (Rev. 14:12-16) Hallelujah!
Diane is a writer, speaker and minister ordained with both Christian International and Generals International. Her articles are regularly featured on The Elijah List, as well as platforms like Charisma Magazine, Charisma News, Intercessors For America and others. She and her husband, Allen, co-founded Starfire Ministries with a vision to see the kingdom established beyond the four walls of the traditional church. They host a podcast with Charisma Podcast Network, and serve as Church Mountain, Regional, and Montana Coordinators for the Reformation Prayer Network, and as Media Mountain Leader/Facilitators for C.I.’s Culture Influencers.
