Angels on Call
As a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, we have become children of an all Powerful, Authoritative and Loving God. Today we will examine what the Word of God reveals about one particular way He has provided for our needs to be met. Please read on. You will be blessed. Eric
Today we are going to focus our study on a source of provision God has established for His children. (believers). Oftentimes, we humans have pre-conceived notions of how things will work and what they will look like. I believe, because of those misguided thoughts, we often fail to recognize what is actually taking place. We are going to examine God's provision of ministering angels.
When someone mentions 'angels' what do you think of? Do you envision huge, brilliant, white shining beings? Do you imagine a dramatic encounter that is extremely obvious that can't be missed? I dare say most of us go about our daily lives totally unaware of God's provision and care for us by sending these ministering angels to meet our needs.
We will begin by reading Hebrews 1:13 and 14 (NIV), "To which of the angels did God ever say, "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet"? 14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?" 'Angels' aggelos means: "a messenger or delegate, heavenly (a celestial) angel sent by God to proclaim His message; a spiritual being created by God to serve His plan." (HELPS Word-studies). Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: "one of that host of heavenly spirits that wait upon the monarch of the Universe, and are sent by Him to earth now to execute His purposes." Verse 14 reveals angels are 'ministering' spirits. 'Ministering' was translated from the Greek word, leitourgikos, meaning" sacred ministry, divinely authorized and service to God. 'Serve' diakonia means: angelic assistance, aid and ministration. Diakonia is any God appointed service rendered for the benefit of others and for the glory of God. Additionally, the 'serving angels' do permeate the entire created order. Think about that for a moment! All angels were created to serve! The end of verse 14 is very significant regarding our understanding of angels, as to why they were created and what they do. The last part of verse 14 reveals, they are "sent to serve those who will inherit salvation." Wow! That is us!
How much does God love believers? He created and sends angels to give aid and ministration to us.
"Angels are sent to bring us messages from God's heart." (Charles Hunter). "Angels descending, bring from above, echoes of mercy, whispers of love." (Fanny J. Crosby).
"Angels are never self-directed; their authority and insight are derived, reflecting the sovereign will of God alone." (Bible Hub Topical Lexicon).
Psalm 103:20 (NASB20) reads, "Bless the LORD, you His angels, Mighty in strength, who perform His word, Obeying the voice of His word!" David instructs the angels to "Bless' the LORD," 'Bless' barak, means to kneel as an act of praise and adoration or adore with bended knees. Strong's Hebrew word for 'angels' in this verse is malak and again refers to a 'messenger' sent by divine authority. 'Perform' His word' means to do or accomplish labar or His Word of promise, Interestingly, we are also instructed in numerous Scriptures to bless (barak) the Lord by kneeling in adoration and as believers, to obey the voice of His Word and do His will.
Now, I especially want you to take notice of the last part of verse 20, "obeying the voice of His word!" One of the meanings of qol translated 'voice' also means proclamation or declared. Thus, to obey the proclamation or declaration of His Word.
I find it a wonderful truth that the angels obey His Word. God does dispatch His angels by His direct commands, however, I believe the angels also respond to His written Word and to His Word when spoken by believers.
A beautiful truth we believers really need to grasp is that God's Word NEVER returns empty or without accomplishing what He desires. Isaiah 55:11 (NASB20) reveals, "So will My word be which goes out of My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding [in the purpose] for which I sent it." Hallelujah! The Scriptures were written by men who were directed by the Holy Spirit therefore, the Scriptures are God's words.
The Word of God is alive and active, therefore when you speak it, it is as if He were speaking it Himself. 2 Peter 1:21 (NASB20) reveals, "for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God." 'Prophecy' in this verse means: the gift of communicating and enforcing revealed truth. The Scriptures which were given to the authors of the Bible are the revealed truth of the Lord. The Word of God is His will.
"The Word of God is the ultimate and only infallible authority for the Christian Faith. Subjectivity and opinion (including man's traditions that do not align with Scripture) cannot take priority over Scripture." (GotQuestions.org). 2 Timothy 2:15 (NIV) encourages and instructs us, "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles (to teach correctly and directly) the Truth." Since the Scripture is God's Word, it is His authority. The Word of God is also Truth.
The Word of God is powerful. "Through creation, revelation, transformation, salvation, spiritual warfare and the provision of hope, the Word of God stands as a testament to his power and purpose." (Bible Hub Topical Encyclopedia).
It is important for us to understand then why the Word of God should be so valuable to us! This knowledge, of the Word being Truth and His authority, gives us insight into why the angels respond to God's Word and reveals why we should respond in a similar fashion.
This truth also reveals why it is important that when we pray, we pray the Word of God. This is also indicative of why it is so vitally necessary that we know the Word of God. We need to speak His Word over every situation in which we desire God's intervention.
"Whatever God teaches or commands is of sovereign authority," (A.A. Hodge).
"The Bible stands above man's authority, church tradition and our own opinions." (God Questions.org). Why? The Word of God is divinely inspired truth, infallible, and inerrant. (2 Timothy 3:16,17; John 17:17).
Psalm 103:21 (NIV) reads, "Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will. 'Hosts' the Hebrew word tsaba in this verse is specifically referring to God's angelic army. Tsaba brings to mind the "picture of disciplined ranks accomplishing the will of God." (Bible Hub Topical Lexicon). That is totally amazing, especially in view of what we learned in Hebrews 1:14, that His angels are sent to serve believers!
Psalm 24:10 (NLT), "Who is the King of glory? The LORD of Heaven's Armies--he is the King of glory." God has ultimate authority over both the spiritual and earthly realms.
1 Kings 22:19b (NLT) gives us a vivid and exciting picture of the Lord and his angel armies,
"I saw the LORD sitting on his throne with all the armies of heaven around him, on his right and on his left." This verse signifies the angels' readiness to serve and execute God's will. We read an account of what these armies of angels do when commanded by God in 2 Kings 6:17 (NLT), "And Elisha prayed, "Open his eyes, LORD, so that he may see." Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha." Can you imagine seeing 'the hills full of horses and chariots of fire' - God's angel army ready to do battle for you?
In 2 Kings 19, we read that when Hezekiah, King of Judah, received a very distressing message, He went before the Lord and prayed. In response to that prayer, verse 35 reads, And that night the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians." God's angels are ready to respond when they hear the word of God.
Even against overwhelming odds, God has the ability and desire to protect His people from their enemies.
Here are some examples in the Scriptures of times and circumstances in which the Lord responded to the needs of His people by sending out His angels:
Sent as an answer to prayer (Hezekiah which we just read and the disciples prayers in Acts 12:5-7).
Sent to encourage (Jesus in the desert, Matthew 4:11).
Sent to strengthen (Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane Luke 22:43).
Sent during a severe storm (Paul Acts 27:23,24).
Sent to guard (All believers Psalm 91:11).
Sent to comfort (Luke 22:43).
Sent to rescue from lions (Daniel 6:22).
Sent to protect against an army and the angel army revealed in answer to prayer (2 Kings 6:17).
Sent to send into a fiery furnace in response to faith (Daniel 3:16).
We must also note that angels appeared and still appear in dreams and visions to fulfill God's purposes. (Joseph when warned to take Jesus to Egypt to escape death).
We have guardian angels (Matthew 18:10).
We also see numerous examples of messenger angels - I.E. sent to Mary and Zachariah.
I hope this study has given you a chance to pause and consider some of the events in your life where the Lord has sent His angels to minister, guard, protect or comfort and you were not aware of their presence. There have undoubtedly been times when the Lord sent His angels to you in response to your prayer.
Angels minister to God's children.
Thank You Heavenly Father for loving us enough to watch over us and for sending Your angels to minister to, assist and give aid to us in our times of need.
Scriptures used were taken from the New International Version, New American Standard Bible 2020, and The New Living Translation.