Angel Army

Psalm 34:7 (NIV)
The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.


As a child attending Catholic grade school, we heard many stories of guardian angels and how everyone has their own angel who is watching over. Many times these angels looked like shadows, ever looming in the background; sometimes you could see them and sometimes not.

I found comfort in this concept and believed it wholeheartedly, in fact I counted on it. There was even a prayer we were taught to pray to this angelic being. Of course, now, I know that we only pray to God. So I have adjusted the wording a bit.  I removed the words 'Angel of '. "Angel of God, my guardian dear to whom Your love commits me here. Ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide." Amen. We would recite this prayer often in the classroom.

I wonder, do you believe in angels, guardian angels?  I do believe but didn't give much thought to them as an adult until my husband's illness. It is a long story, and one I would love to tell you someday, but the short version is Dave saw angels dressed in military garb from previous wars. They would appear out of nowhere, give him a salute or thumbs up, smile and then disappear. A few would share words familiar to any Marine like, “Semper Fi,” or “Ooh Rah.”

One particular soldier gave him the obligatory salute and then said, "Good luck on your journey, and there are lots of ‘brothers’ waiting for you on the other side."  Dave found comfort in these happenings. Something, or someone was ministering comfort to my husband when he needed it most.

The Bible contains many occasions of angels coming alongside or standing in front of us. It isn't surprising to me that God would do this for us...that he did it for my husband.  Do you have an angel story? I would love to hear it.  You can comment below for all to read or email me.

Read the Psalm in it's entirety here. Psalm 34:1-10

Trading Places

In the 1983 movie Trading Places, the owners of the Duke and Duke Brokerage Company, to settle a wager, connive to get Louis Winthrope and Billy Ray Valentine to change lives. Winthrope, a very successful commodities broker, is fired and thrown out of his house. Meanwhile, Valentine, a street hustler, is hired to replace Winthrope.

The wager, whether genetics or the environment makes the man, is settled. Valentine by sure luck, learns of the plot. He realizes his good fortune is not of his own doing.

He finds Winthrope in the street and the two of them take their revenge on the brokerage firm. Valentine and Winthrope simultaneously bankrupt the Duke brothers and become very rich. The movie ends with Valentine and Winthrope on a beautiful tropical beach.

Today’s reading is John 1:9-17.

These verses announce the incarnation of our Lord. The word became flesh.

Jesus was living in Heaven with his father. He must have had an awesome life. No worries, no troubles. Angels, cherubs and seraphs tending to his every need.

Yet, because his father told him to, Jesus came to earth.

He had no attendants. Jesus had to work for his food. He had to tolerate physical and emotional pain. He had to deal with friends who turned their backs on him. He had to deal with enemies that wanted him dead. And he even had to deal with a “mole” who infiltrated his close social network.

In short, Jesus had to "slum it".

In a sense, Jesus was a lot like Winthrope, except that Jesus willingly traded places!

We are a lot like Valentine. We live in a sin-stained world and our spiritual lives are poor indeed.

Because of Jesus’ sojourn, where he placed our sin on him, we will eventually be like Jesus. We will be resurrected and glorified; We will live forever.

Trading Places ended with Winthrope and Valentine on a tropical beach. Our eternity will be even better than that.

We will spend it in Heaven together with Jesus. Like Valentine our (future) fortune is not of our own doing.

 All because Jesus traded places with us.

Touched by an Angel

Hebrews 13:1-9

 

"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”                Hebrews 13:2 RSV

 

Have you ever had an encounter with an angel? From 1994 to 2003 there was a TV

show titled “Touched by an Angel”. Most of the episodes involved someone who was at a crossroad in their life. Monica and Tess brought them a message of hope; that God loved them and hadn’t forgotten them, and helped give them guidance.

 

In the Bible, angels make their first appearance in Genesis. Last week we read about the angels that greeted the disciples as they looked for Jesus in the tomb. Angels announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds. They prepared Mary and Joseph for his arrival. They worshiped God in Isaiah’s vision.

 

Angels seem to play a very significant role in the Bible. And yet, I have never had an encounter with one that I am aware of. I have never been touched by angel. Or have I?

 

I grew up in a small town in Michigan and lived in a subdivision full of kids. This subdivision was bordered by M46 on the south side. It was a busy highway and there was a hill that leveled out just as you approached the town. Cars would come flying over that hill just before the speed limit was to slow down.

 

When I was about 10 years old, a friend of mine was hit by a car flying over that hill. A year or so later, I ran out onto that same stretch of road as a car came down the hill. If he had hit me, he could have easily killed me. But he didn’t. He swerved at the last second. I don’t claim that an angel protected me, but who’s to say.

 

Although the passage today mentions angels, I think what is more important is that it presents the character of God. The Message gives us some insight with these words, “God assured us, ‘I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you’”. A few verses later we are reminded that, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever”.

 

Have you ever been touched by an angel? I don’t know if an angel protected me on that highway as a little boy, but what I do know is that Jesus has always been with me. He never leaves me. He won’t desert me. And if you know Jesus; if he is your Lord and Savior; if he is in your heart; you have been “Touched by an Angel”.

 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=hebrews%2013%3A1-9&version=NIV;MSG

https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/niv/Heb.13.1-Heb.13.9

 

 

Tuesday - Holy Week

Luke 22:43 (MSG)
  At once an angel from heaven was at his side, strengthening him. 

Jesus is in the Mount of Olives and He is praying.  It is probably safe to say this was the most difficult time of Jesus's life on earth.  He had friends he loved, a great relationship with his Heavenly Father, but He also knew what was waiting before him.

His Father understood what He was going through as well and it would seem he sent the angel to minister to His only Son. What could an angel do to help? What could His friends do besides pray and be available. There are those times in our life when we just have to do the hard things.  Jesus could have escaped, but He loved us too much to do that, to take an easier way.

That makes me think of all the times I did not do the hard thing...did not do the next right thing, but took the easy route. Shortcuts might save time but they don't always produce the best outcome. They certainly don't teach me anything new. I am so thankful that Jesus went the distance for me/us. Because He was willing to suffer for my sins, I don't have to.

I am thankful too for the angel who came alongside Jesus in the garden and strengthened Him. What comfort that would be. I know some of us have stories about angels and they always seem to be around a time when there is a struggle or pain in a life. As we move further into Holy Week let us remember all that Jesus did for us.  Then let's us turn around and be 'an angel from heaven,' to someone who needs our strength and love this week.

Luke 22:39-46

Luke 2:1-20 The Birth of the Son of God

Luke 2: 1-20 -- The Birth of Jesus
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Read Luke 2:1-20 here

Listen to Luke 2:1-20 here

Judges 6:11-18

Hagar, Abraham, Jacob, Moses, the Israelite nation, Samson's mother, Joshua and the Apostle John all have something in common.  They all experienced an Angel of God in their midst.  These Angels guided, advised, informed, defended, revealed, and prepared the people; helping them do what they were unable or unwilling to do themselves. These Angels enhanced the lives of those they came to touch.

"When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, "The LORD is with you, mighty warrior." (Judges 6:12)

When the angel came to Gideon, a farmer, the heavenly being came to bolster up Gideon.  He was a farmer, but God had plans for this farmer to become a mighty warrior.  He knew the potential of this man and the angel was there to affirm the warrior. God does these things today even.  Have you ever felt like God was calling you to a certain ministry for which you were totally unprepared?

The LORD answered, “I will be with you" (Judges 6:16)

I love the saying, "God doesn't call the equipped, He equips the called."  That is what He did with Moses, Abraham, Gideon, and it is what he does with you and me.  When we are in over our head it is because He want us to spend more time on our knees. "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)

Read the text here.  Listen to an audio recording here.

Psalm 72:10; Matthew 2:1,11

When my first grandchild was born, many wanted to come and visit, to hold him and coo over the long awaited precious bundle.  They wanted to bring gifts and bless the family with love.  Just think, if this is how we feel when someone close to us has a child, how much greater would it have been for those who knew that The King of Salvation was born. 

At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises:  Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him. (Luke 2:13-14)

  

Even without the benefit of email, Facebook or Twitter, word spread quickly and to distant lands as well.  Jesus' birth was proclaimed by an Angel.  Shepherds, witnessing the angel, went to Bethlehem to see what was going on.  They when they left they spread the word too.  Perhaps these lowly shepherds can be considered among the first evangelism team.

While it is never easy, Christmas must be one of the easier times of year to tell the Good News.  People, whether Believers or not, acknowledge Christmas as a special time.  Many people will attend church on this holiday when they might not any other day.  What an opportunity to show off the new baby; to tell everyone His name and to share just a little bit of family history.  

"They entered the house and saw the child in the arms of Mary, his mother. Overcome, they kneeled and worshiped him. Then they opened their luggage and presented gifts: gold, frankincense, myrrh." (Matthew 2:11 MSG)

Read the texts here.

Dreams Come True - Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18, 24-25

What sort of dreams do you have?  It is said that everyone dreams but not everyone remembers them.  I know I seldom recall dreaming and if I know I had a dream, I rarely have any recollection of the content.  But once in a while I do, and those instances the vision will stay with me for a number of days before they fade.

There are rare occasions when a dream troubles me or when I give them more than a passing thought. But there are also times when I wonder if God is guiding me during my sleep time.  If I fall asleep praying, I often wake up with the last thought on my mind.  I feel like I have been given a solution to the prayer I placed before God.  Imagine then, Joseph's dreams which included messages from angels.

"When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife." (Matthew 1:24)

Joseph likely was worried about Mary, and what he should do about their betrothal. I don't doubt he loved her, and as a prayerful man he would pray about it. Joseph was familiar with scripture and had probably read from the Book of Isaiah. "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." (Isaiah 7:14) 

Joseph willingly followed God's direction, his obedience was swift; he simply did what God wanted him to do.

Read the Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18, 24-25 texts here.