Sadness abounds in the world around us. As the earth decays, morality crumbles, and tragedies occur, it is almost more than we sometimes feel we can bear. We fail to recognize the true scope of the glory of God and His power and love. Not only did God send His Son to die for us and His Spirit to dwell within us, He has also surrounded us with angels.
Angels were the topic of a recent Bible study evening. Perhaps we are sometimes tempted to imagine angels are some sort of myth. Yet the Bible Doctrine and Practice says we can understand from Scripture that there are thousands times thousands and thousands upon thousands of angels. These beings are wonderful, awe-inspiring creations of God. We do not understand all of the work of angels, but we do know that they are interested in man and that God sometimes uses them to care for us. Who among us hasn't thrilled to hear a story where the conclusion of the matter is, "It must have been an angel!"?
So often we get wrapped up in the negatives. Revelations speaks of the war in Heaven where Satan rose up in pride in an attempt to claim the highest throne for himself. In poetical language, chapter twelve, verse four, says that "his tail drew the third part of the stars of Heaven, and did cast them to the earth."
Our minds stop on that number, appalled that so many would have been caught in Satan's web and cast out with him. There must have been much sorrow that day.
I'm not much one for math, but I can do simple fractions, and a new thought suddenly hit me. If one-third of the Heavenly beings chose darkness, that leaves two-thirds that chose light, exactly double the number of the falling away.
With the realization that good outweighs evil two to one, my hope is restored. Why do I fear the evil spirits lurking and tormenting? For we have it in the Bible that they are outnumbered. Good abounds. Joy is possible. Peace is plausible. God did not leave us outnumbered by the foe. It is not an impossibility to survive the darkness in this weary world. We need not fear the sadness, trouble, and turmoil that we see about us.
God has set angels about His people. Let us thank Him for sending this source of protection, these warriors, already experienced on the battlefield, that likely know more than we do of the sheer cunning of the enemy. In the darkest nights and the worst storms, it is a blessing to imagine God directing His angels to stand guard.
Although we are still required to step up and do our part, it is a relief and comfort to know that God has promised to leave us never alone. Recognizing the Holy Spirit as our Everlasting Comforter, and God as the greatest power ever to exist, I believe He has sent His angels outnumbering the enemy, as well. It is no accident. May we ever praise His name.
Angels were the topic of a recent Bible study evening. Perhaps we are sometimes tempted to imagine angels are some sort of myth. Yet the Bible Doctrine and Practice says we can understand from Scripture that there are thousands times thousands and thousands upon thousands of angels. These beings are wonderful, awe-inspiring creations of God. We do not understand all of the work of angels, but we do know that they are interested in man and that God sometimes uses them to care for us. Who among us hasn't thrilled to hear a story where the conclusion of the matter is, "It must have been an angel!"?
So often we get wrapped up in the negatives. Revelations speaks of the war in Heaven where Satan rose up in pride in an attempt to claim the highest throne for himself. In poetical language, chapter twelve, verse four, says that "his tail drew the third part of the stars of Heaven, and did cast them to the earth."
Our minds stop on that number, appalled that so many would have been caught in Satan's web and cast out with him. There must have been much sorrow that day.
I'm not much one for math, but I can do simple fractions, and a new thought suddenly hit me. If one-third of the Heavenly beings chose darkness, that leaves two-thirds that chose light, exactly double the number of the falling away.
With the realization that good outweighs evil two to one, my hope is restored. Why do I fear the evil spirits lurking and tormenting? For we have it in the Bible that they are outnumbered. Good abounds. Joy is possible. Peace is plausible. God did not leave us outnumbered by the foe. It is not an impossibility to survive the darkness in this weary world. We need not fear the sadness, trouble, and turmoil that we see about us.
God has set angels about His people. Let us thank Him for sending this source of protection, these warriors, already experienced on the battlefield, that likely know more than we do of the sheer cunning of the enemy. In the darkest nights and the worst storms, it is a blessing to imagine God directing His angels to stand guard.
Although we are still required to step up and do our part, it is a relief and comfort to know that God has promised to leave us never alone. Recognizing the Holy Spirit as our Everlasting Comforter, and God as the greatest power ever to exist, I believe He has sent His angels outnumbering the enemy, as well. It is no accident. May we ever praise His name.
I feel like my understanding of angels is very small, but I was encouraged after our Bible study. Please feel free to correct any misconceptions I have. I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences on angels, too!
Thank you Nettie! This just seemed to fit the need today!
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