Angels

There's a lot of mystery about angels. We see them referenced only sporadically in the Bible, and few of us have ever had a personal encounter with angels. And so we wonder: do we each have an assigned guardian angel? Does an angel get its wings every time a bell rings? Have our really godly loved ones gone on to become angels?

The answer to the last question is no. I think the references to angels make it clear they are another being entirely, not humans who have died and been transformed. As for the bell, well, I'm pretty sure angels just come with wings. (And I'm gonna guess angels don't sit around reading Tom Sawyer. But that's just a guess.)

But I think the guardian angel question is a little more unclear. Here's what I know about angels guarding people: "For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways" (Psalm 91:11). Is that a specific angel assigned to each person? Or does it just mean that angels help keep God's people safe when they're in danger? It's unclear...but one thing to note...the context in verse 9 demonstrates that this promise is to those who make the Lord their refuge. So even if there are specifically assigned guardian angels, I don't think everyone has one.

In Mark's version of Jesus' temptation, after Satan fails and leaves, angels attend Jesus (Mark 1:13). So there again we see a protective, guardian type role of angels.

But I think just looking at angels as just guardians misses a much bigger thing. Here's what Psalm 103:20-21 has to say about angels: "Praise him, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding and obey his word. Praise him, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will." So the main job of angels is to do God's bidding, his will. That may include some guardianship, but as I reflected on these verses I thought of the angel encounters we read about in the Bible. All the ones I could think of were message deliveries. The angel blocking Balaam's path to warn him of sin. The ones who came to Abraham to confirm Sarah would get pregnant. The one who told Mary and Joseph about their miracle baby. The ones who proclaimed Jesus' birth. The one who stood at the empty tomb to proclaim his resurrection.

So it seems to me that the primary job of angels, as far their duties interact with earth, is to deliver God's messages. (Though here's my disclaimer: this is hardly exhaustive research about angels. Just my impressions from recent and familiar readings.)

Have you been touched by an angel? (Cue glowing spotlight.) Maybe. Hebrews 13:2 says that some people have entertained angels without even knowing it, just by being hospitable. But the better question is: are you open to hearing God's message for you, whatever the source? It might be conviction like it was for Balaam. It might be a daunting task like it was for Mary and Joseph. It might be a laughable prophecy like it was for Abraham and Sarah. Or maybe it will be good news that a Savior has been born or that he has risen. Whether God uses a friend, his Word, a stirring in your heart, a dream, or even an angel...are you ready to listen to the message God has for you?