Angel Delight!

“For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” (Psalm 91:11 NRSV)

We’re enjoying Psalm 91 as our January thread in Watford. The promises are magnificent, and the call to trust is captivating. This Sunday’s focus was vv11–12. The point was not angels, but confidence in God’s loving, attentive protection. However, we took some time to explore the meaning and purpose of angels. Believe it or not, 323 verses in the Bible mention them. You can find the sermon here at about 31 minutes into the recording: https://www.facebook.com/thewatfordchurch.org/videos/1424552905186333.

Leaving aside the extensive body of work done by angels in the Old Testament, the New Testament is a busy era. Angels speak to Mary, Joseph, Zechariah and the shepherds. They help Jesus, appear to the women at the empty tomb, release Peter & John from prison, direct Philip and Cornelius, strike down Herod, support Paul at sea, and appear all over Revelation. What is your take on the modern-day relevance of angels?

Is it possible that they were more active at that time than subsequently? Might it be similar to the arguments made for why we see extensive demonic activity around the ministry of Jesus? Forces opposed to the kingdom made themselves more visible because they were under greater threat than at any other time in history. Perhaps angels were more prominent to counter that threat. Does that mean they are less significant today? I do not pretend I have a definitive answer to that question. However, we must take into account the verse below:

“Are not all angels spirits in the divine service, sent to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?” Heb 1.14

At the core of passages like Psalm 91 and Hebrews 1 is an expression of the heart of God. He is constantly attentively interested in our well-being. He is guarding us in “all” our ways. His presence is with us 24/7. At least one startling implication of this is that he must like us. How could you spend 24 hours a day with someone you didn’t like? That would be hell! I have to admit that sometimes I don’t like myself. Yet, God is not me. And thank him for that. His loving protection does not depend on my likability but on his decision to like me.

Let me know your understanding of angels. How do you view their purpose? If you could talk to one, what would you ask them?

God bless, Malcolm