Divine Protection

Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation? (Hebrews 1:14)

Whenever angels show up in the Bible, it’s a pretty big deal.

There’s usually brilliant light and some human ends up on the ground in the fetal position.

Like the elite Roman guards on Resurrection Sunday; God sent an angel to roll away the stone.

His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they quaked with fear and became like dead men (Matthew 26:3-4).

That’s very telling, that military men of their stature were reduced to groveling on the ground. And even a Bible hero like the Apostle John was so overwhelmed by an angel’s magnificence that he falls down to pay homage (which the angel forbids). “No, don’t do that,” the angel said. “Worship God.” (Revelation 22:9)

And God’s angels don’t just look the part; they can deliver.

And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him (Revelation 20:1-3).

That’s just a wow.

Angels take care of business. And clearly, there is no match here on earth for their awesome power.

And here’s what’s so amazing to me…

These powerful beings are assigned by God to watch over Believers: “Angels are sent by God to serve those who are destined for heaven.” (Hebrews 1:14)

If you’ve put your trust in Jesus, that’s you. And that means you may think you’re in your room all alone, but that might not always be the case, according to God’s word. They watch over us and wherever we are, they are, too.

In what ways do “ministering spirits” minister to us? Well, we see in the Scriptures examples of ways they intervene at times.

On a couple of occasions, the disciples got locked up in jail, and it was an angel who set them free. Might angels still be getting us out of all kinds of jams without us even knowing?

And perhaps they strengthen us the way they did Jesus when He was under spiritual attack (Matthew 4:11), or when He was spiritually depleted (Luke 22:43).

Whatever they do exactly, angels are here to help us. And that’s encouraging since we can use all the help we can get!

I mean, it’s cool enough that the Lord Himself is the Overseer of our souls, and that we are shielded by His mighty power and presence.

On top of that—God’s makes the protection of His children a priority in heaven:

For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. They will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone (Psalm 91:12).

The angels have a job to do—it’s protect you and me, and they never mess up.

And when we do “stub our toes” in this cursed, fallen world, know this: it’s a wound or a loss that God has intended to redeem for His glory and for our ultimate blessing.

I think if we knew what kinds of fiascos we’ve already been spared by our unseen angelic caretakers, we’d be amazed and beyond grateful.

So, remember, friends, you’re not as vulnerable as you may think, and you’re never as alone as you might imagine.

You’re dwelling securely under the shadow of the Almighty, and His mighty angels have been given charge over you.

Rest easy.