Devo Week 23

Angel Assignments in the Earth -- Blessings in Disguise

What kind of things might angels be doing? Scripture says angels protect people who are being prepared to receive the Gospel. Angels also guarded the covenants with Israel. (Heb. 2:2) And they watch over those who will inherit salvation. If we believed what's written in the book of Hebrews, we might find more evidence of angelic encounters.

"Are not all the angels ministering spirits sent out [by God] to serve (accompany, protect) those who will inherit salvation? [Of course they are!] " (Heb. 1:14 AMP)

Key Concept: The Work of Angels

Angelic activity is a sure sign of God working. Angels are sent to a people for the work of God, so it's important to consider history and listen carefully to stories. Angelic activity might be revealed within a people's migration story, the provisions they experienced along the way, and how they celebrated in response. Like the Mpi's story of their guardian angel, traditions and celebrations often highlight angelic encounters. The following three areas reveal angelic work: provision, protection and hospitality.

Provision:
When the Jews fled Egypt in the Exodus, they faced a lack of provision in the wilderness. God provided them with manna, called the "bread of angels" in Psalms 78:25. It was this miraculous provision by God and His angels that sustained a nation of people for forty years. Consider God's provision as a possible sign of angelic activity.

Protection:
God promised to send His angel to guard the Jews through the wilderness. Guardian angels protect others as well. Angels have been assigned different geographical areas and possibly people groups. Although this is not specifically stated it is implied by the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 6:11-12, and other scriptures. Jesus even mentioned the children having angels in Matthew 18:10. It should not surprise us that there are angels at work among all people groups as God loves them all. It is good we can join in the work of God, since He is already working to reveal Jesus.

Hospitality:
Hebrews 13:2 speaks about entertaining angels unaware. This example of hospitality and angels played out in the story of Abram in Genesis 18 with the three strangers, who were actually angels. As we engage in hospitality with others, we are quite possibly welcoming angelic activity. We should pay attention to customs and other key aspects of hospitality as they might reveal angelic encounters.

Key Word Definitions:

1. angels (plural noun)

-- a spiritual being believed to act as an attendant, agent, or messenger of God, conventionally represented in human form with wings and a long robe.

2. demons (plural noun)

-- an evil spirit or devil, especially one thought to possess a person or act as a tormentor in hell.

Excerpt from Devotional 23 with highlighted words:

"Angelic activity is good evidence that God is at work among a people. For God has never left Himself without a witness. (Acts 14:17) Far too often we attribute unexplained phenomena to the demonic. A more discerning response might be to consider how the Lord is working through angels. Think about it: only one third of the angels fell with Satan. The other two thirds became active agents for the Kingdom of God."

Scripture: Exodus 23:20

“See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared.”