ICS Daily Devotions
We All Have Guardian Angels
In the secular world, the word “angel” is often taken to mean somebody who is helpful and kind, but biblically, when we refer to an “angel”, we are talking about a heavenly messenger from the Lord. Not every Christian has a proper understanding about angels although the word appears over 250 times in the Bible. Nonetheless, as God has revealed to us through Scripture regarding angelic activities in the past, present and future, we should be able speak about angels with scriptural authority just like any other biblical subject.
Col 2:18 Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
1 Cor 6:3 Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life?
First, we are told not to worship angels despite their overwhelming presence because believers will be co-administrators of justice in the future regarding them — we will judge fallen angels with God! Also, in the Book of Ephesians, it says that we are seated in the heavenly places beside Christ, so the position of the believer is higher.
Judges 13:3 And the Angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to her, “Indeed now, you are barren and have borne no children, but you shall conceive and bear a son.
2 Kings 6:16-17 So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
Secondly, we may or may not see them, because only God gets to decide whether an angel appears before us and whether we see them at all. An angel informed Samson’s mother of her upcoming pregnancy and gave her specific instructions about Samson, whereas Elisha’s servant could not see the angels on horses and chariots while Elisha was fully aware of their presence when surrounded by enemies.
Ps 91:9-12 Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; for He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.
Thirdly, God commands His angels to protect, defend, and guard us in all our ways, but an often-overlooked prerequisite is that we need to put our trust in His protection — it is a choice on our part! Also, we can infer from Matthew 18:10 below where the word “angels” is stated in the plural form, that each of us has at least two guardian angels specifically assigned to protect us.
Matt 18:10 Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.
The unseen realm is as real as the natural realm, and angels are supernatural beings. Therefore, we should not discount their existence or activities just because we can’t understand or see them. Instead, let’s choose to exercise our faith in God and trust that He will send forth our guardian angels to protect us and bring answers to our prayers!
Sermon: God and His Angels (Part 1)
