What do you think of angels?

What do you think of angels? Some see angels as a myth, like the cherubic looking Cupid ready to strike the heart of the lovelorn with his arrow of love on Valentine’s Day. Mankind has had a fascination with angels since ancient biblical times. Books, movies, art, sport team names, and cities have been inspired by the existence of angels. The truth about angels their origin, purpose, work, and destiny can be found in the Bible where angels are referred to almost 300 times.

I am naturally concerned about our oldest son, Chris’ move to Wyoming. Chris is driving a U-haul truck towing a car through mountainous terrain in the middle of winter with his family. While praying about the move, I was impressed to read Psalm 91. God gave me this assuring promise, ‘If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home, for he will order his angels to protect you where-ever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t ever hurt your foot on a stone” (Psalm 91:9-13 NLT). God often dispatches His angels to intervene on behalf of His children. “Therefore, angels are only servants – spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation” (Hebrews 1:14 NLT). (Hebrews 1:1-8, 14) But the promises of God have conditions to be met in order to be activated in our lives. In Psalm 91 we see how faith activates God’s protection and perhaps even the ministry of angels on our behalf. Consider and apply these activators of God’s promises.

First – DETERMINE TO LIVE IN THE SHELTER OF GOD’S PRESENCE every moment of every day. (Psalm 91:1, 9) Constantly abide in Christ. (John 15:1-7) Make the Lord your delight and constant companion.

Second – DEFEAT FEAR. (Psalm 91:5) “God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind” (II Timothy 1:7). Fear destroys faith. Put on God’s armor and defeat fear. (Ephesians 6:10-18; Psalm 91:13)

Third – DECLARE GOD’S PROMISES. “This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God and I trust him” (Psalm 91:2-3 NLT).

Fourth – DEPEND ON GOD. “The Lord says, ‘I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name” (Psalm 91:14 NLT). Trust is a must. Even the inscription on a common penny reminds us of that.

Fifth – DO PRAY! “When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them” (Psalm 91:15 NLT). God desires that we cast every care on Him for He cares for us. (I Peter 5:7) Pray in faith. There is no problem too big for God to handle.

Why does God promise to dispatch angels on behalf of those who love Him? Because God is love and cares about you. If need be, God will order His angels to help fulfill His purposes and plans for your life. God created angels. There are innumerable hosts of angels. Some have even “Entertained angels unawares” (Hebrews 13:2). Angels are never to be venerated or worshipped. The writer of Hebrews emphasizes that Jesus is greater than the angels. “And when he brought his firstborn Son into the world, God said, “Let all of God’s angels worship him . . . But to the Son he says, ‘Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever” (Hebrews 1:7-8).

Yes, God’s angels are ministering spirits sent to minister to the heirs of salvation. (Hebrews 1:14) Are you an heir of salvation? You can become a child of God today. Receive Christ into your heart by faith and repentance. “For as many as received him gave He power to become sons of God even as many as believed in his name” (John 1:12). Don’t be surprised when God sends His angels to help you in your time of need.