Posts Tagged ‘angels’

Angels Around Us

Monday, October 31st, 2011

Do you believe in angels? I do. In fact, I believe angels are all around us, invisible beings moving in the spiritual realm. For the most part, we—human beings moving in the physical realm—are oblivious to their presence. For the most part, I say, because occasionally we’re privileged to see proof of their existence.

My son and his girlfriend (now his wife) experienced an angel’s protection during an attempted robbery while they were ministering in Jamaica. They were sitting on a park bench when a would-be robber approached and pulled a gun from his pocket. A split second later, a stranger appeared out of nowhere. He planted himself between the kids and their assailant and struck up a conversation with the bad guy—in the native language, nonetheless. His actions enabled the kids to run. Moments later, when they felt it was safe, they stopped and looked back. They saw only one man—the robber. The stranger had vanished.

I have a few stories of my own. Here’s one that’s never been told publicly:

My husband and I lived in Nepal for three years. The first five months were spent on the outskirts of Kathmandu. One narrow motor road ran through the middle of the community. Diesel-spewing buses, battered taxis, and bulls traveled this route. A ditch—an open sewer about two feet deep and 18 inches across—lined one side of the road. With no sidewalks for pedestrians, we felt like we risked life and limb every time we walked from one place to another, especially after dark. One evening enroute to the wee restaurant where we ate our evening meals, the unthinkable happened: I fell into the ditch.

Yuck! This can’t be happening, I thought. God, help! Suddenly and without human explanation, I stood on the road, incredulous and grateful. And did I mention clean? Not a speck of human waste on me. Go figure.

Experience tells me that angels exist. So does Scripture: “Praise the Lord, you angels, you mighty ones who carry out his plans, listening for each of his commands. Yes, praise the Lord, you armies of angels who serve him and do his will” (Psalm 103:20,21).

Too bad we don’t have goggles that allow us to see these spiritual beings. I have a hunch the view would stun us.

How about you? Do you have an angel account, too?

Photo courtesy: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Far More Awesome

Monday, October 19th, 2009

Awesome is a popular but somewhat under-rated word in today’s vocabulary. Here are a few examples…

  • Q: “How’s your latte?” A: “Mmmm…awesome!”
  • “Wow – I love the highlights in your hair. You look awesome!”
  • “Your kids are so awesome.”
  • “She’s an awesome teacher.”

Sound familiar? I’ll bet we use the word more times than we even realize in everyday conversation. What exactly does it mean? Well, the thesaurus lists several synonyms including majestic, magnificent, breathtaking, astonishing, terrifying, and intimidating. Haha – don’t get too excited, then, when someone says the highlights in your hair are awesome – are they breathtakingly beautiful or totally terrifying? And is an awesome teacher someone who loves kids and explains lessons well, or someone who’s incredibly intimidating?

Last weekend, at the Stillwood women’s retreat, we used awesome in the context of God’s character as we spoke and sang about His power, faithfulness, and love for us. Then this morning I read Psalm 89:6-8 which says, “The highest angelic powers stand in awe of God. He is far more awesome that those who surround his throne. O Lord God Almighty! Where is there anyone as mighty as you, Lord? Faithfulness is Your very character.”

When I put the synonyms into Scriptural context, the word takes on an exciting new meaning. God is not merely awesome – majestic, magnificent, breathtaking, astonishing, terrifying, and intimidating. Nope. He’s more than that. He’s far more awesome than even the angels who surround His throne, and I hear that they’re pretty incredible.

Let’s give God the credit and praise He’s due. Rather than waste energy entertaining doubt and fear, let’s choose to trust in this far more awesome God to protect and provide for us. Rather than puff ourselves up with pride, let’s fall on our faces in worship and adore this far more awesome God for who He is – the Lord God Almighty, the One who is majestic, magnificent, breathtaking, astonishing, terrifying, and intimidating. And let’s rest in the knowledge that this far more awesome God is faithful to those who love Him.

What words of praise would you like to offer for this far more awesome God?