All Night All Day, Angels Watch Over Me

I recall singing a song from my childhood that went, "All night all day, angels watching over me my Lord, All night, All day angels watching over me." Do you remember that? It's likely the first song I ever learned in church. Some years back, there was a phenomenon known as the "Angel Movement" that gained attention on various talk shows like Oprah and Ricki Lake. Guests would share their stories of encountering someone or something that helped them through tough times. There's nothing wrong with people believing in the supernatural or having faith in angels, right? Wrong! Angels have been a significant presence in the Bible, appearing to those whom God called for specific purposes. They appeared to individuals like Gideon, Jacob, Mary Magdalene, Mary the Mother of Jesus, and even ministered to the Messiah during His earthly ministry. "Then the devil leaveth Him and behold angels came and ministered unto Him" Matthew 4:11. The issue at hand is when someone starts to worship the creation of God, such as "Angels," and elevates these created beings above God. By doing so, one falls into idolatry, which is considered as witchcraft. The question then arises: what is all the discussion about? For those of us who comprehend God's intention through Jesus Christ, there is no deception. However, if you are not within God's righteousness, obtained through faith in Jesus Christ, you are at risk of being misled by the enemy. The author of the book of Hebrews articulates more effectively than I do, the purposes of Jesus and angels.

Let's take a moment and read what it says. "The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven. This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave him is greater than their names." The Son Is Greater Than the Angels For God never said to any angel what he said to Jesus: “You are my Son. Today I have become your Father.” God also said,“I will be his Father, and he will be my Son.” And when he brought his supreme Son into the world, God said, “Let all of God’s angels worship him.” Regarding the angels, he says, “He sends his angels like the winds, his servants like flames of fire.” But to the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever. You rule with a sceptre of justice. You love justice and hate evil. Therefore, O God, your God has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.” He also says to the Son, “In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundation of the earth and made the heavens with your hands. They will perish, but you remain forever. They will wear out like old clothing. You will fold them up like a cloak and discard them like old clothing. But you are always the same; you will live forever.”  You, see God never said to any of the angels, “Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.” Hence, certain angels are ministering spirits, sent by the Most High God to look after those who will receive salvation." Hebrews 1:4-14 There you have it. So, "Don’t let anyone condemn you by insisting on pious self-denial or the worship of angels, saying they have had visions about these things. Their sinful minds have made them proud." Colossians 2:18

Written, Sunday, December 2, 2012, Posted by Ray at 8:59 AM 

Photo by Aloha Risha on Unsplash