Here’s the deal: Are you activating angelic messengers to protect you and your loved ones? While these supernatural, unseen beings operate at God’s bidding, we have a role to play to ensure they are with us especially in times of need.
Scripture tells us, “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” (Heb. 1:14). As an authentic Christian, that’s you!
Jesus instructed us, “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” (Matt. 18:10). While it’s exhilarating to ponder angels in heaven worshipping God, there are times our little ones need them dispatched to look over their welfare. “Ask and it shall be given you” (Matt. 7:7). Are you employing this privilege?
In the early church, as seen in the book of Acts, angelic activity was so commonplace it was almost taken for granted! After Peter was arrested and put in prison, “the church was earnestly praying to God for him” (Acts 12:5), so an angel was released to set him free (v. 7-10).
When Peter came to the place where they were praying, Rhoda (not Valerie Harper from the old Mary Tyler Moore TV show!) greeted him at the door and when she ran to tell the other disciples they dismissed it saying, “It must be his angel!” (Acts 12:15).
Imagine this happening to you. It’s Sunday night and you’re awaiting the Papa John’s pizza delivery guy when the doorbell rings. Savoring the deep-dish treat with fresh pepperoni, jalapenos and mushrooms, you direct your daughter to answer the door as you elevate your voice, “Pizza’s here!”
Moments later little Brittney skips into the kitchen smiling yet missing any Italian delight. “It was just an angel” she says nonchalantly. You stare at her in disbelief.
While I can’t explain why angelic activity operates more in the unseen realm today, in today’s increasingly dangerous world, we’d better be aware of the availability of these invisible protectors and make sure we activate their wonderful ministry in our lives and for those we love.
Years ago, Billy Graham wrote a tremendous book entitled “Angels: God’s Secret Agents” that I highly recommend from my hero in the faith. Dr. Graham tells us, “There is a tragic and widespread ignorance even among Christians concerning the biblical teaching about these supernatural beings. As a result, the average person has a totally distorted picture of these spirit beings, and all kinds of pagan superstitions have been accepted even by Christians. One of the most comforting truths in the Bible to me as I travel from one part of the world to another is to know that God has stationed his heavenly guards to protect, guide and lead me through life’s dangerous way. I cannot see these beings with my physical eyes but I sense they are present every day.”
Three Faith-Building Testimonies
In the book mentioned above by Billy Graham he cited an incident when he was visiting American troops during the Korean War and was told of a small group of American Marines who had been trapped in North Korea with the thermometer 20° below zero. One of the men, a praying Christian, related how they had not eaten for six days when a wild boar came rushing towards them, suddenly stopped and dropped dead! Later there was a mysterious appearance of what appeared to be a South Korean who spoke English and told them, “I will lead you out.” He led them through forest and mountains to safety. When they looked around to thank him, he had vanished. They wondered if he was an angel sent by God to deliver them from their enemy.
Attesting to protection by angels, Rev. John G. Paton, a missionary in the New Hebrides islands, related in his book, John G. Paton how one night a group of hostile natives surrounded his mission headquarters. They intended to drive him and his wife out of the building by burning it and then kill them. The Patons prayed all during the night for deliverance and when the sun rose they were amazed to see the attackers suddenly depart without inflicting any harm.
A year later, the chief of the tribe was converted to Jesus Christ. Paton asked him what happened that night he and his tribesmen surrounded the mission headquarters and then left in the morning without damaging the building or harming them. “Who were all those men you had with you?” the chief asked. Paton told him there were no men with him, only himself and his wife. But the chief insisted that there were hundreds of big men in shining garments, with drawn swords, standing guard. It was then that Paton realized God had sent his angels to protect him and his wife.
Every day I pray for the protection of the President of United States and join my intercession with multitudes praying for our military servicemen and women. Second Lieut. Andrew Spelding of the 82nd Airborne Division shares this current testimony of angelic intervention.
“When I was on the highway in Afghanistan—more like a dirt road near the Pakistan border—I saw an angel flying in front of our convoy. It flew ahead of us, then stopped by a boulder near the side of the road and held up his hand. The driver of the lead vehicle stopped too, although he told me he didn’t see anything or anyone. It turned out there was a tripwire right there leading to a major explosive charge. If we’d ridden through it, we’d have been blown to Kingdom Come. I thank God every night that angel stopped our convoy!”
Stay tuned for Part 2 of this article, where Larry will talk about how to apply the truth about angels to our lives today.
Larry Tomczak is a best-selling author and cultural commentator with more than 43 years of trusted ministry experience. His passion is to bring perspective, analysis and insight from a biblical worldview (see “Is Gay OK? 10 Things Everyone Needs to Know” now on YouTube). He loves awakening people to today’s cultural realities and responses needed for a restored, influential church. Please visit larrytomczak.com.
