But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost (Matthew 1:20).
The existence of angels is real, and not a myth. Angels are spiritual beings in the order of their hierarchies, created to be God’s messengers to enforce His word in all the earth (Psalm 103:20). They were there and sang for joy when God laid the foundations of the earth (Job 38:4,7). An angel of the Lord was there when Abraham offered his son Isaac to the Lord. (Gen. 22:11). An angel of the Lord was leading the fight for Israel against Egypt when they left for the Promised Land (Exo. 14:19). An angel of God was sent to strengthen Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane in the time of His agonizing prayer (Lk. 22:43).
When Jesus rose from the dead, angels of God were at His tomb and told the disciples that the Lord had risen from the dead (Jn. 20:12). An angel of God appeared to Cornelius in a vision and directed him to send for Peter who would preach to him the good news of Christ’s death and resurrection (Acts 10:3-8).
Angels of God are diversely involved in the various episodes of the book of Revelation right from the beginning to the end. Angels are spirit beings. Materials, time and space do not limit their operation. Angels were created holy. Some of them followed Lucifer in his rebellion against the Lord and thus became judged, fallen angels. Angels carry out divine directives. They are exceedingly great in strength and power. They minister to the saints who are the heirs of salvation. They do not preach the good news of Christ.
They carry saints to heaven when they die. They surround the people of God to protect them while they walk in the counsel of God. They will accompany Christ to the earth when He reigns in glory and power. In my walk with God I have had at least three distinct encounters with angels of God. These have happened over a period of about thirty three years. The appearances and ministry of angels to believers in the New Testament is more covert than in the Old Testament. This is because:
The New Testament believer has the Holy Spirit to teach and lead him in the things of God, in a personal way that most Old Testament believers did not.
- God does not want angels to distract our focus from Christ as our Saviour and Redeemer.
- Angels are not to be worshipped or prayed to as some erroneously do.
- Angels are our ministers, our servants.
They carry out their works whether or not we see them. It is only when it becomes extremely necessary that God allows us to see them. Child of God, you have nothing to be afraid of in this world. Apart from the fact that Christ is in you, and God is with you, you are surrounded by God’s angels whose mission is to defend you as you do the will of God for your life.
The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them (Psalm 34:7).
SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY
ACTS 12
FOR FURTHER STUDIES
PSALM 91
PRAYER POINTS:
- Give thanks to God who has sent His angels to protect and ght for you.
- Ask the Lord to help you to always walk in His ways.
- Rebuke the spirit of fear and cast it out of your life.
Confession for Today: The angels of God are all around me, I shall not dash my foot against a stone.
Nations’ Watch: Pray for Bahrain