Published on 05/31/2006

There are 306 biblical verses which contain specific references to an angel or angels. 210 times a singular angel is mentioned; 96 times angels are found together. Surveying the Bible, here's the angelic ministry promised to us by the word of God. When you need such help and hope, claim one of these facts as your own.

Commentary

One: angels serve us. They were created by God to be "ministering spirits" (Hebrews 1:14). All through God's word we find them serving his people. An angel saved Hagar (Genesis 16:7; 21:17), led the Hebrews from Egypt (Numbers 20:16), and fed Elijah (1 Kings 19:4-9). They still serve God's people today.

Two: angels protect us. They protected Lot at Sodom (Genesis 19), the Hebrews from the Egyptian armies (Exodus 14:19-20), Hezekiah and the people from Assyria (2 Kings 19), Daniel in the den of lions (Daniel 6:21), and the apostles in prison (Acts 5:17-19). They still protect God's people today (Psalm 34:7; 91:11-12).

Three: angels guide us. An angel directed Hagar (Genesis 16:9, 11), Abraham (Genesis 22:11-12), Jacob (Genesis 31:11, 13), Moses (Acts 7:35), Balaam (Numbers 22:23-25), Joseph (Matthew 1:20, 24), Philip (Acts 8:26-27), Paul (Acts 27:23-25) and John (Revelation 1:1-2). They still guide God's people today.

Four: angels mediate God's judgment and punishment, as in Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:13, 24), Egypt (Psalm 78:49), and the end of time (Matthew 13:39-50). They will one day punish all who reject God's word and will.

Five: God's angels are stronger than we are. They are also stronger than our demonic enemies (Revelation 12:7-9). If you are on God's side, they are on your side.

As they helped Jesus (Luke 22:43), so they wait to help his people. Where do you need an angel's service, protection, guidance, and strength? You cannot see electricity or the Internet, but you're reading these words because of them. You cannot see love, but you believe in its power. You cannot see friendship, but you have experienced its blessing. Not all truth fits in a test tube. Nothing worth proving can be proven.

God's word is clear: right now you are surrounded by an angelic guard you cannot see with human eyes (cf. 2 Kings 6:8-23, one of my favorite stories in Scripture). You cannot see them, but they can see you. They are watching you read these words, and waiting for you to trust their Creator by faith. If you will, believing is seeing today.