Please bear with me this week as we tackle a topic in a different way. I’d like your help with something that has been on my mind of late- angels in our lives. (More on the “why” later…) I rarely give much thought to them. When I was in elementary school, our teacher instructed us to slide over in our desk seats to “make room for our guardian angel.” I used to love sleeping under this picture at my Grandparents’ house. It made me feel safe. Back when I was afraid to fly (I’m better now), I used to pray for God to send his angels to protect my plane and flight. Seriously. But beyond that, I wouldn’t say I give them such consideration.
Do you?
What Does the Bible Say About Angels?
Just to keep everything in perspective, let’s look at just a few things that the Bible says about angels.
God Created Angels
They are a spirit, not human, but can take on human form when God appoints them to certain tasks. They are a separate created being. We do not “become angels” in heaven. They neither reproduce nor marry (Mark 12:25). We don’t know for sure how many there are but see that “ten thousand” came down on Mount Sinai with God when he gave Moses the Ten Commandments. John hears the voices of angels that were too numerous to count singing around God’s throne in Rev 5:11.
Angels Are Messengers
The word angel comes from a Greek word which means “messenger.” God sent angels to communicate his will to humans. We read about them in this way in their conversation with Abraham and Sarah to announce her pregnancy, to a discouraged Gideon, and also to Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds regarding the birth of Jesus.
Angel’s Protection
Psalm 91:11- “He will give His angels charge of you, to guard you in all your ways,” and Hebrews 1:14 speaks of angels as “ministering spirits sent to serve those who will receive salvation.” Psalm 34:7- “On every side, the Lord’s messenger protects those who honor God; and he delivers them.” I find this so comforting!
God Sends Angels
While believers prayed earnestly for Peter in prison, an angel appeared, woke Peter, and the chains fell off his wrists. The angel then walked Peter right out of the prison. (Acts 12:1-17). This was a miraculous escape. My Christian world view tells me miracles still occur today. Could angels in our lives be working at the requests of God?
Angels Rejoice
“There is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:10) Certainly, they are also filled with joy when they praise and worship God!
Angels Worship God.
The prophet Isaiah had a vision of God on his throne with angels calling “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty” (Isaiah 6:2). “Multitudes” of angels praised God after they gave the shepherds the message of Jesus’ birth. John records many instances of angels singing songs of praise to God in Revelation.
Angels Taking a Soul to Heaven
We’re not sure exactly what happens at the time of death. Jesus told a parable in Luke 16, however, of a beggar who had angels caring for him and escorting him to heaven at the time of his death. He died and “was carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham at the heavenly banquet.” (v22).
This brings me to the reason why they have been on my mind of late.
My dear mother-in-law passed away from a sudden illness recently. The day before her death, the steam from my shower revealed this on the bathroom window:
Am I trying to read something out of nothing? I tried to rub this off the window, but I realized that it was on the outside of the glass. This is a high second-story window with a screen protecting it. I cannot imagine how it got there. We’ve lived in this house for 28 years. Nothing like this has ever happened before. It looked like an angel to me.
It’s still there. So every time I take a shower I see it.
Now I don’t know if an angel left their imprint on my window to reassure me they were near.
But here’s what I am sure of:
The Bible is the divine word of God. Every word is God-ordained.
Therefore, I believe in angels, because their creation, works, service, and worship of God are noted many times in scripture.
Role of Angels in our Lives
God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8) He used angels in powerful ways in the past and I reason that he still does so today. Angels in our lives today are a possibility.
God alone instructs and commands them. We should not be asking them for anything or praying to them.
I trust that God is at work in my life and I lean on his Holy Spirit within me. That is enough, yet I realize He works in ways I can’t see or comprehend. I’m convinced that a spiritual realm exists. I pray daily for the strength to resist the devil who was a fallen angel. That makes me aware that I should also give thanks for the blessing of angels working on my behalf.
This isn’t my typical blog post. I’d actually like to hear from you as I’m struggling a bit with how to go forward on the topic. Do you give any thought to angels? Have they served or ministered to you? Do you have any verses about angels that speak to you personally? I read many miraculous stories while doing my research on angels. I would love to know your thoughts on this subject. You can comment below. Thank You!
Blessings!
AnnMarie
Luke 4:10-11. (NIV)
10 For it is written:
“‘He will command his angels concerning you
to guard you carefully;
11 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’[a]”
This is part of the Luke 4 story that shows Satan tempting Jesus after a 40 day fast in the desert.
Love these verses!
First -my grandparents had that pic too! I immediately thought of my grandparents’ house when I saw it.
I do think of angels sometimes – in different ways… often as doing spiritual battle. They are so strange and mysterious! I don’t get why they exist – maybe that’s why? They battle in the spiritual realm???
There’s a verse where Jesus says, “See that you don’t look down on one of these little ones, because I tell you that in heaven their angels continually view the face of My Father in heaven. ” Matthew 18:10
What the heck does that mean???
I did read some verses about them doing spiritual battle. It’s odd to think that a battle is going on around us…
As far as the Mt 18:10 verse, my commentary says “these angels are best interpreted as the spirit of believers after death, and they always see the heavenly Fathers’s face.” I still don’t get it!
I hadn’t given much thought to angels but am definitely going to check out the verses you mentioned and do a little more study! I have simply just always assumed that they are around.
That’s exactly where I was at Sarah! There are so many verses about angels, and I doubt God quit using them. That led me to how does he use them today? God never fails to spark my curiosity!!!
I, too, believe in angels! I know they are among us sent by God as messengers and protectors. Bless you!
Thanks for the affirmation Jessica!
God’s angels are all around us and this brings me comfort and peace. Thank you for sharing your experience!! Shared on Facebook!
Thanks so much Summer! I appreciate the feedback and the share!!
I wholeheartedly believe in angels. I even take it a step further as I think that kids “imaginary” friends as actually angels helping them cope as they transition. (Not the ones who ate the cookies when mom asked what happened to the cookies she specifically asked the child not to eat 😂). But, at times, I really think God sends them in as messengers. They didn’t stop coming around simply because we are in the 21st century. Whether that was an angel in your bathroom or not, I do believe God was sending you a sign that He is right beside you!!
Thanks Brittany! That is so comforting!
I believe the spiritual realm is very real. That there is a constant battle being waged all around us that we aren’t aware of. I usually don’t give it much thought, but I definitely believe in angels.
I’m finding so far that most people (like myself) just don’t give it much thought either! It’s been comforting reading about how God uses angels in our lives. Thanks for the comment!
I believe in angels and I believe they, as messengers from God, don’t talk to us or show themselves but they do protect us. For instance when you’re driving and not really focused but you’re alerted to the car in front of you who stops suddenly. I know that’s a weird example but sometimes you can feel the realization that you need to course correct. I hope I make sense.
I had a similar experience while walking home from school when I was a teenager…I looked up and saw a driver look at me and grab her head looking shocked. I stopped- just in time to avoid getting hit by a car. So yes, your reply makes total sense!
I have to honestly say, I haven’t given much thought to Angels outside of people telling me that when my newborns smiled while sleeping, the Angels were playing with them. I never really questioned it but I wonder if I truly believe it. I believe they exist and I do believe that I have had angels watching over me in some scary situations but I always wonder if I would see and know without a doubt that they were there!
I agree with you. If it had not been for this weird smudge on my window in the middle of winter, I wouldn’t have questioned it. Then I started reading scripture and it got me wondering a bit more about the role angels really play in our lives. It doesn’t shake my world, it doesn’t change my beliefs, but somehow this image was comforting to me…. Thanks so much for the thoughtful reply!