Lenten Word 13: Angels

Several years ago there was a dramatic interest in angels. Billy Graham had written a book, other books appeared on the same subject, and figurines of angels could be purchased almost everywhere. The outcry was that people were very close to, if not into, the worship of angels. The Bible speaks of angels as those spiritual beings at God's beck and call, whom God sends to assist those in need, more importantly, Jesus after His 40 days of fasting and His encounter with the tempter. Angels are also messengers, whom God used to bring good news, the most prominent being Mary when told by Gabriel, as found in Luke 1. In that passage we also find the same angel told Zechariah, about the coming birth.

I believe we all have angel stories as well, events where we know that God stepped in to save us, or to share with us news through a person whom nobody sees leave the scene or when asked about that person is told that no such person lives or works there. Our Lenten Journey should involve one important fact about our faith journey, our job is not to look for angels, but to be angels for those in need. Many times our willingness to share God's love in a kind act will make people think they have, as shared in Hebrews 13:2. Though that passage is about our showing loving hospitality to strangers, many times we are the strangers who will bless someone in need.

Psalm 91:11 "For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. 12 On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone." May it be that you and me be those angels today as we seek to draw closer to God.

PRAYER: Loving God, we thank You for Your promises and protection. Thank You for those who have come to our assistance when we thought all was lost and hopeless. Our prayer is that You would use us to show Your love and protection to those sisters and brothers around us who have also thought that all was lost and hopeless. We pray this in Jesus' name, amen.