God’s Angelic Protection

The other day I was watching a ministry when the pastor began speaking about the protection of God’s angels. Immediately, I was catapulted into a memory of the first and most memorable of all the bus stop miracles in my life. It happened on a cloudy morning in 1991. I was on my way to work, and I had just gotten off an MTA bus in Maryland. I never thought to cross the street in front of a bus, but that morning I was running late and attempting to make it across the street so that I could connect with my second bus. I could see the bus approaching the corner, so I stepped down off the curb in front of the first bus I had just gotten off, when I felt an arm grab me around my waist.

I froze in place while a speeding car attempting to make the yellow light sped past me at top speed. I couldn’t move at all until that car passed me. I was stunned and very shaken when I realized someone had just saved my life. Looking behind me, I saw no one. There was no human holding on to me, but I felt an arm wrap around my waist and stop me in my tracks. As I walked cautiously across the street, I pondered what had happened to me. I missed the second bus, but that was nothing compared to the fact that my life had been spared. I made an inner vow at that moment, never to cross the street in front of a bus again. As I rode to work on the next bus, I thought, that must have been an angel that saved me.

I never forgot how God kept me through one of his angelic hosts. I know that many people don't believe angels exist or that God sends them to help us, but they do. The ironic part of the situation for me, which makes me appreciate God’s grace all-the-more is that I wasn’t saved (a born-again Christian) at that time. That wouldn’t happen for five years afterward.

I had always heard that we have a guardian angel that walks with us. Well, I felt mine that day. He held me back from what would have been certain death, instantly. But God had another plan for me: to share his goodness with all of you. So, when you feel like God is far away from you, just remember that the Holy Spirit is always with you to lead, guide, comfort, and counsel you if you invite him to do so. And God's heavenly hosts are always with you to protect and keep you from harm. Psalm 91:9-16 (NIV) comforts:

"... "If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” 

Prayer:

Father, thank you for always watching over us. And for keeping us safe even while we were sinners. Please continue to use your angelic hosts to protect and keep us in this sometimes-tumultuous life. And thank you for reminding us that your love for us is constant, even though we might not feel it or recognize it. Thank you for giving us “all blessings in the heavenly realm.” In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.