“I am sending an angel before you to protect you along the way and to lead you to the place that I have prepared for you. Obey the angel and follow him. Be careful in his presence, and don’t rebel against him. The angel will not forgive the wrong things you do to him. He has my power in him. If you listen to what he says and do everything I tell you, then I will be an enemy to all of your enemies. I will be against everyone who is against you". Exodus 23:20-22
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It's not uncommon to believe we're alone on our journey. And, being alone creates loneliness and fear. Neither consequence is helpful. Loneliness breeds a distrust for others while fear breeds a distrust in ourselves.
Often we're alone in the midst of company simply because we refuse to acknowledge their presence in any meaningful way. It happens in marriages a lot. The distrust grows.
But...we are never actually alone. God, in some form, is always "with" us. He is here to comfort us, protect us and guide us on our journey. Don't restrict this presence to the Holy Spirit...who dwells "in" us as believers. Our scripture promotes the reality of angels in both of the testaments and angels are the very presence of God with us, but "outside" us.
This is important. We need the Holy Spirit within us to give us internal strength and courage (and bear witness to our salvation). But, we need angels outside us to protect us from danger. Because angels have the very power of God residing in them, they are capable of mighty external acts. If we aren't convinced, we need only remember what the Psalmist sang..."He will command his angels to protect you wherever you go. Their hands will catch you so that you will not hit your foot on a rock. You will have power to trample on lions and poisonous snakes". Psalm 91:11-14
What miracle do we need today...to ensure we come to the place God had prepared for us? Is it physical safety? Or physical healing? Is it relational safety? Or relational healing? Why do we ignore the angels God sent to provide precisely those things? After all, God commands us to "obey the angel and follow him".
Where is your angel and...what is he doing for you today?
"Live boldly out there today..."
