June 14

“Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?”—HEBREWS 1:14

In Billy Graham’s book, ‘Angels: God’s Secret Agents’, he tells a number of stories, one about Corrie Ten Boom, a Dutch lady who had hidden Jews in her home during the Nazi occupation of Holland. Her entire family was eventually captured and taken to a concentration camp in Ravensbruck, Germany. She tells her own story of how entering that terrifying building, angels had surrounded and protected her as she smuggled in her Bible under the dress she was given to wear. 

After telling the story, Billy Graham adds, “Every true believer in Christ should be encouraged and strengthened. Angels are watching. They mark your path. They superintend the events of your life and protect the interests of the Lord God, always working to promote His plan to bring about His highest will for you.” 

In Scripture, there are hints of ‘guardian angels’, but only hints. The term ‘guardian angel’ does not occur in the Bible, but there are examples that lead us to believe they exist. Daniel, for instance, says, “My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions” (Daniel 6:22). Paul was on his way to Rome and his ship was about to sink. Everyone was panicking, but he said to them, “Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you’.” (Acts 27:23-24) After Jesus’ period of temptation in the wilderness, Matthew 4:11 says, “Then the devil left him and angels came and attended him.”

Angels also represent people in heaven, and there are two categories spoken of in Scripture; firstly, in the lives of children. Jesus said, “See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven” (Matthew 18:10). Jesus said, “their angels”, so children have angels in heaven. Secondly, Scripture speaks of angels as representing the dying. Jesus told a story of a rich man and a beggar, named Lazarus. Luke 16:22 says, “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side.” Caring for the dying is one of the most valuable and precious things we can do. Psalm 116:15 tells us, “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His faithful servants” 

From every walk of life, there are countless stories of guardian angels, and we can take comfort in the fact that God, in His sovereignty, at anytime may send an angel to intervene on our behalf.

PRAYER: Thank You, Lord, that You do send angels to minister to us. It is comforting and encouraging to know that possibility exists. 

TO REFLECT UPON: Have I had an experience of what I believe to be an angel intervening in my life?