Angel paraphernalia abounds in the 21st century – figurines, posters, good-luck charms, toys, and even television programs. The media-marketed stuff is highly make-believe, but we know that angels are real created beings. Angels surround us in a generally unseen spiritual realm, tasked with a variety of assignments including praising God, executing God’s judgment, communicating God’s messages, and preparing for Jesus second coming. We should neither fear nor worship God’s heavenly angels. However, I certainly appreciate one commission God placed upon the angel special service – serving as believers’ bodyguards.
The 91st Psalm is a powerful proclamation of the guardianship of Almighty God. Psalm 91 is one my personal favorites; I quote passages from this chapter almost every day because its message encourages me. Verse 11 exalts the Lord who “will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways (NIV).”
Interestingly, satan is aware of this charge given to angels by the Lord. When tempting Jesus (Matthew 4:6; Luke 4:10-11), satan paraphrases Psalm 91:11, tempting Jesus to put the Lord to the test. Speaking the Word, Jesus overcame the enemy’s deception and satan stepped away. Jesus passed the test and – guess what – the very angelic assistance upon which Jesus refused to presume shows up! Angels minister to Jesus. (Matthew 4:11)
Angels are numerous. How many? No human knows. The Bible doesn’t tell us the exact number of the angelic host, but Christians through the centuries often have envisioned a universe full of angels.
Following His arrest, Jesus reveals that He had “more than twelve legions of angels” at His disposal. (Matthew 26:53 NIV) If a Roman legion has six thousand soldiers, Jesus’ personal heavenly bodyguard may have numbered over seventy-two thousand. One little boy after hearing about Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion asked, “Where were the police when all this was going on?” “It was love that kept Jesus from calling 12,000 angels who had already drawn their swords to come to His rescue (Billy Graham).”
Hebrews 12:22 NIV alludes “to thousands upon thousands of angels.” Psalm 68:17 NIV poetically lists the chariots of God at “tens of thousands and thousands of thousands.” It is a big number. The countless hosts of heaven are on assignment.
Ordinarily, we are not aware of angels, but at times the Lord opens eyes and allows humans to see them. In 2 Kings 6, Aramean soldiers were sent to capture Elisha. When Elisha’s servant stepped outside, he was terrified just like any average, ordinary individual. Overwhelming fear seized the servant as he viewed an army with horses and chariots encircling the city. But, Elisha prayed. Elisha didn’t pray that that the enemy would disappear or that the servant would no longer see the enemy. Elisha prayed his servant’s eyes would be opened to the supernatural realm.
When the Lord opened his eyes, he was amazed to see the scores of heavenly horses and chariots of fire. Elisha truly spoke, “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” (2 Kings 6:16 NIV)
The reality of the prophet’s protective bodyguard revolutionized the situation. Enemy forces were still posed to pounce, still amply armed, still chockfull with cruel concentration, but God’s force was greater. Verse 16 is as awe-inspiring for us today as it was for that servant in Dothan. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31b NIV) Awareness of Heaven’s armies mollifies our terror.
God opened the eyes of Elisha’s servant in 2 Kings 6, but God blinded the perception – the eyes – of the interlopers. Read if for yourself. God’s deliverance is mindboggling!
The Lord might open your eyes to see an angel. Don’t freak out! Worship Jesus! The Lord might NOT let you perceive an angel. Again, don’t freak out! Worship Jesus! Whether or not you see angels isn’t the point. God cares for you and you can certainly trust His protection.
