August 17
“Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?” Hebrews 1:14.
The Bible speaks of two kinds of angels, the good and the evil. The evil angels are the devils who were originally created holy but who sinned and who are forever rejected by God. The apostle Jude writes, “The angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day,” Jude 6.
In Hebrews chapter one, the author is speaking only of the good angels. They are holy spirits who were created by God, as Scripture says: “By Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible,” Colossians 1:16. On occasion, an angel appeared to people in a human form. For example, the angel Gabriel appeared to Zacharias and told him that he and Elizabeth would be the parents of John the Baptist. The angel Gabriel also appeared to the Virgin Mary to announce to her that she would be the mother of Jesus, the Savior. In Scripture, we are told, “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels,” Hebrews 13:2.
The good angels are ministering spirits. They carry out the commands of God, and minister to or serve the Christians. They are “ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation.” That promise of God is for those who believe in Jesus Christ as God’s Son and their Savior, who came into the world to redeem us. He accomplished our redemption with His perfect life and with His innocent suffering and death on Calvary’s cross. As our loving risen Savior, He also is concerned about us and watches over us as we journey through this life on earth.
The psalmist wrote about the angels who serve the Christians: “Bless the Lord, you His angels, who excel in strength, who do His word, heeding the voice of His word. Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, you ministers of His, who do His pleasure,” Psalm 103:20-21. We have God’s loving promise that the angels will watch over us as we live out our lives on earth: “He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone,” Psalm 91:11-12.
The angels especially watch over the children. On one occasion, Jesus called a little child to Him, and He said to His disciples, “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven,” Mathew 18:10. Note that the word “their” refers specifically to the little children.
In both his morning and evening prayer, Dr. Luther concluded with the words, “Let Your holy angel be with me, that the wicked Foe may have no power over me.” At the beginning and the ending of the day, place both your body and soul into the hands of our gracious God who cares for you.
“I walk with angels all the way,
They shield me and befriend me;
All Satan’s pow’r is held at bay
When heav’nly hosts attend me.
They are my sure defense,
All fear and sorrow, hence!
Unharmed by foes, do what they may,
I walk with angels all the way.
I walk with Jesus all the way,
His guidance never fails me;
Within His wounds I find a stay,
When Satan’s power assails me.
And by His footsteps led,
My path I safely tread.
In spite of ills that threaten may,
I walk with Jesus all the way.” Amen.