More Angels

Psalm 34:7 (KJV) The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

(Proverbs 27 also read)

I’ve been aware of angels and how they are sometimes sent to guard over us.

Psalm 91:11 (KJV) For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

This is also quoted in Luke. This verse seems even stronger than that.

I like the idea. This verse has them setting up a camp around us.  How good is that?

So?  Rejoice in God’s Providence.  

An Angel of Another Color

Proverbs 17:11 (KJV) An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

It is interesting the use of the word “messenger” here. The actual Hebrew word is usually translated as “angel.”  I know an angel is a messenger, one sent on assignment for a superior.  The quality of the angel is in the adjective and in the assignment.  Here the adjective is “cruel”.  I would assume that God has many angels to pick from.  I don’t know if they have personalities or whether they are assigned an attitude de jour.

Who is this angel?  Someone with an attitude that enjoys inflicting punishment?  Was he assigned the task and told this is the way you will behave?  We don’t know.  What we do know is that he had an assignment to go against the rebel.

At Christmas time we see angels in other roles.  They appear to Mary and to Joseph.  They made the announcement to the shepherds in the field.  I don’t know about you, but if I were an angel, I would prefer those tasks.

So?  Try to pick what kind of messenger you’re going to be.  God may choose you to be one who is tasked to deliver a stern warning to someone or a rebuke.  We know we would rather be the one bringing the Christmas presents but our job is to be obedient to our calling.

Angels? What Angels?

Psalm 91:11 (KJV) For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

(Proverbs 28 also read)

As I was watching the clouds morph across the sky, I was impressed by the variety and the complexity of what God had made.  And then you take the scriptures which tell us Jesus is the one who holds it all together.  I was being grateful.  I was being thankful.  I was worshiping.

And the Holy Spirit brought to mind as I was thinking that the angels were also active.  So I spent a few moments, rejoicing and thanking the angels for what they do.  I became aware of the fact that, just as I cannot really see all the little intricate things that Jesus does to maintain the world, I don’t see most of what the angels do either.  Again I’ve written this before, but how many viruses have they intercepted?  How many drunk drivers have they steered into a tree before they got to me?  How many times I’ve been totally unaware of the terminating forces that are descending upon me?

I don’t know.  But I do know that I have Providence to thank.  That can be phrased in terms of grace, the Holy Spirit, and even angels.  God works in mysterious ways.

So?  That means He does work, is active, gets involved.  Let’s hear it for unseen blessings, and by that I don’t mean that they aren’t happening.  It’s just that we are not aware of them. 

Scaring away Fear

(Psa 34:7 KJV)  The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

This is the second reference I have come across to the concept of guardian angels.  I don’t know how many times I have read this without seeing that.  How encouraging.  Just this morning I was thinking about eternity and being in the presence of the trinity.  It then hit me that my guardian angel would also be there.  I plan to shake his hand, assuming he has one.  It is good to remember and thank him for his service.

Keep in mind that the qualification is to fear the Lord.  It is also interesting that just about every time an angel appears the first words are, “Fear not.”

So?  Fear not the angel because he is an agent of keeping you from having a reason to fear.

What a Drag

(Pro 7:21 KJV)  With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.

There are many forces trying to drag us down.  When Jesus asked the demon possessing a man what his name was, the reply was, “Legion”.  That means thousands.  If there could be that many demons in one man then imagine how many there are all around us.  They can be obvious or totally hidden.  They can be up front or disguised.  They are there.

The good news is that God provides a way out of all attacks.  Take guardian angels.  I don’t know if they outnumber the demons or just have so much power that the evil is neutralized.  The point is that the protection is there.  It is expressed many ways.  John said,

(1Jn 4:4 KJV)  Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

In the Old Testament we get a great picture.

(2Ki 6:17 KJV)  And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.

So?  Trust and obey.  Stand strong and overcome the attacks of life.

A Simple Joy Ride

(Pro 22:3 KJV) A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.

I think of the stupid things I did as a teenager.  Many of them had to do with driving.  Some were potentially suicidal.  Picture a young fool careening down a road and deciding he was going to blow through a stop sign for the thrill of it.  Picture hitting speed bumps at 50 MPH to see what would happen.  How about going for a midnight cruise through a part of town you wouldn’t even go to at noon.  Young people are not known for their wisdom.

So?  If you are reading this you lived to grow up and hopefully grow out, out of some silly behavior.  We keep our guardian angels busy.  I wonder if they enjoy the thrills or just wish they could let us crash.  It is best to keep your guardian angel happy. 

Unguardian Angels

(Pro 17:11 KJV) An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

Sounds like a threat to me.  I wondered if “cruel (394) “messenger” {4397} was a frequent term that had an understood meaning, but this is the only place the phrase appears in the NASB.  In our current civil turmoil I have had frequent times to think about guardian angels and to thank God for them.  The word “messenger” is often translated “angel”.  If God provides guardian angels it would seem he could also send them to administer His wrath.

So?  We think that evil people are getting away with things.  Today that may be true but we have no insight into the pain in their privates lives or the disasters that may be awaiting them.  We are also told to pray for them, for repentance, not peace.