SEEN ANY ANGELS LATELY?

They’re all around us, protecting, helping, delivering us from danger. All at the Lord’s command. What an army He has! We can count on Him to send them to us when needed.

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES             by Sally Bair

God’s angel helpers

No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; for He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. (Psalm 91:11-12)

People are fascinated with the concept of angels. In fact, many pray to their “guardian angel” as a mediator, while others believe our deceased loved ones become angels when they reach heaven. The first-century Jews were obsessed with angels, too, perhaps because they believed God was too far away from mere humans to help when needed. Old Testament Jews needed a high priest to enter God’s presence, and many believed God gave the Ten Commandments and the Law to Moses through angels.

Angels are mentioned 300 times in the Bible, but only as God’s spirit beings, sent to us as messengers, always acting solely at His command. They are accountable to Him. We don’t need them to bring us into the presence of God. Jesus is our only go-between to the Father. In fact, the Bible says, “[Jesus] having become so much better than the angels … let all the angels of God worship Him.” (Hebrews 1:4, 6)

Countless encounters with angels have been reported—and documented—usually in circumstances of danger. Soldiers, missionaries and even regular people like us have been spared from death because God sent His angels to protect or rescue them. Do you believe angels can protect you from harm? Faith in God will release His promise to work on our behalf. Notice I say faith in God, not faith in His angels.

God is called the Lord of Hosts. Since He is a warrior who fights our battles for us—against sin and against evil—we can be assured His host of angels will be there to help us win.

When Joshua took over Moses’ leadership of the Israelites, he encountered a man holding a drawn sword. Joshua wondered if the man was for or against him and his army. “… as Commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” (Joshua 5:14) How is it that Joshua encountered God’s warrior angels sent to help him fight against the enemy? Because he had his heart set upon the Lord. His focus remained on God, who would bring victory over whatever they faced.

Thank You, Lord, for the promise that Your  heavenly hosts will keep us from evil and plagues, from dashing our feet against a stone, “because [we] have made the Lord … [our] dwelling place” (Psalm 91:1)  In Jesus’ name, amen.