Christmas hope day 7

Psalm 91:11 - "For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;"

Let's talk angels for a minute. As a pastor this probably ranks in the top ten of the questions I receive. Are there angels, do they really exist, are there really a bunch of them, why can't we see them, etc.?

The first hopeful thread I'd weave today is about belief in God. In order for this and other questions regarding angels to get answered in a comprehensive way, then it must begin with belief. I'm a believer and follower of Jesus Christ so I believe in the inherent word of God from Gen. 1 - Rev. 22. So for me it's easy to believe that there are angels. Are you a believer and follower of Jesus? If so, this ones easy for you as well. If you haven't had a chance to make the decision to follow Christ with your life, you keep checking it out. I pray you will make this decision because the rest of this blog would make so much more sense.

So what's the deal with angels during Christmas time? Here's a simple way to answer that for you: angels are a symbol of spiritual beings watching over God's people. Stop just for a second and read the verse at the top again. If you're a believer God commands them, the greatest king ever sends out his spiritual troops to guard your life! Wow!

I heard a story one time where a man walked into a saloon to have a couple of suds after a hard days work. Soon after a group of hard core bikers walk in. Gin soaked breath, loud, and looking for trouble. The man is terrified because he's not accustomed to being around this type of people group. Insert here, God loves all people and I love this people group I'm writing about. So the man decides he'd better leave. He finishes up the last of his beer and starts to walk out. In doing so, the group follows him out and surrounds him outside. Picking and harassing him he really has no chance. They start to kick him. They throw beer bottles hoping to hit him. In a fog of confusion and hopelessness he turns to the only source for help - God. As he lays on the ground waiting for the first punch he starts to pray. He asks God to help by sending angels to protect him. Now here's where the story takes a really cool turn - the biker group backs off. One of them says, "wait, why are we working this guy? He hasn't done anything wrong." So they move on. God sent his angels and in an instant, trouble vanished.

In the bible 3 different angels are mentioned. Gabriel, Michael, and Satan.

a. Satan is in there a bunch but he got kicked out of heaven so he deserves no further acknowledgement. Except that I can't wait to stand in the spot where he denounced God and tell Jesus I will never do that to you!

b. Michael - Shows up as a warrior Jude 1:9-"But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”

c. Gabriel - who shows up to Daniel in 500 b.c. and told him about a coming king, then to Mary about how she will give birth to a son and call him Emmanuel, then to Joseph and told him to go be with his wife.

You see, angels sit around the throne of God. There a thousands upon thousands of them and all day every day what they say according to scripture is "Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty!" He has them at his disposal poised and ready to receive you and your loved ones into heaven as well as protect your life now! Hebrews 1:14 (NIV) - "Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?" Question - Did you know that you have angels assigned to protect your life? There is a spiritual war going on all the time. Once again, in order to understand this blog it begins with being a believer in Jesus Christ. All day every day the enemy the devil wants us to believe in anything but God. He works diligently to get you to focus your worship on money, success, belongings, property, etc. While God on the other hand wants you to simply just believe and worship Him and Him alone. The battle goes on.

Not only do angels protect you but they are there to serve you as a follower and believer in Christ. Just like the man who stopped for a beer, He called on God to send spiritual servants and they came, and the battle stopped. Did you know that you can call on God in times of question, anguish, hopelessness to send His angels to protect and serve you? Think of it like a spiritual 911 call. The police show up to protect and serve, same with the angels for your spiritual life. This Christmas if you display an angel on your tree or mantle, remember it is a symbol of hope for you - protection and service.