It was a discomforting Sunday. On my way to church that morning I was enduring a sharp pain in my lower right abdomen. I could not find the necessary position, whether sitting or lying, that would alleviate this pain. After Sunday School I was taken to the doctor only to be diagnosed with appendicitis. That evening after surgery, as I was coping with the effects of the anesthesia, I saw a group of people. In my blurry vision, my mother was holding my hand, my father was beside her smiling, and there were a few from my church surrounding them, and then there was one in the back. I did not know this one. She had a smile that was so calming. There was an aura about her that seemed unreal. She was wearing a nurse’s uniform. I only saw her one other time afterwards that night. It was during an intense phase of excruciating pain due to the surgical scars. She came into the room after hearing my groans. She pulled the blanket up to my neck and touched my forehead. The pain subsided. No one remembers this person. The nurses in the following days did not know who I was talking about and my description did not match anyone they knew or worked with. Was it possible? In my time of pain and need that God, the Lord of hosts, sent me an angel? O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man who trusts in You! (Psalm 84:12) Jehovah-Sabboath, the Lord of Hosts, is said to be God’s “military” name. The more we discover the name Jehovah-Sabboath, the more God reveals that in life’s battles and circumstances, we are not alone. There are others. Angels. For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. (Psalm 91:11). They are ministers who do His will. Bless the LORD, you His angels, who excel in strength, who do His word, heeding the voice of His word, bless the LORD, all you His hosts, you ministers of His, who do His pleasure. (Psalm 103:20-21) The Jehovah God, omnipotent Creator, is the Lord of them. Angels have been found in the course of Christian history performing the works of wonders at His bidding. It was an angel who shut up the mouths of lions for Daniel after he was cast into their pit. It was an angel who helped free Peter from prison after the intercessory prayers of God’s people on his behalf was offered up. It was an angel who ministered to Paul in the midst of a storm. In a society that sensationalizes angels and the stories of their visits, we must carefully discern that which is genuine from that which is embellished and know that God, the Lord of hosts still is at work today on our behalf in using His angels to carry out His purpose in our lives. We must be careful to not worship those ministers of Heaven, for they are just a creation, but to aim our worship higher and that is towards the Creator. We must not look for angels in each day, but to look to God. Angels were present with Mary when they revealed to her that she was to be with child. Angels were present when they shouted gloriously the news which announced the Savior’s birth. Angels were present and announced to grieving followers that the Jesus they were looking for was not there, but in fact alive and risen indeed. Angels were present and announced to the disciples in awe after witnessing the ascension of their Savior that in the way He left, He would also return. There are angels among us. It is this truth which should motivate us to treat others with love and mercy, ready to open our hearts and homes to them, even the strangest of strangers, for in fact they could be angels in disguise. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. (Hebrews 13:2) We are not alone. The God we serve, who pours out His blessings, has given His angels to us to minister to us in our time of need. Whatever the battles we fight, the trials we endure, the storms we face, we are not fighting alone. Now the king of Syria was making war against Israel; and he consulted with his servants, saying, “My camp will be in such and such a place.” And the man of God sent to the king of Israel, saying, “Beware that you do not pass this place, for the Syrians are coming down there.” hen the king of Israel sent someone to the place of which the man of God had told him. Thus he warned him, and he was watchful there, not just once or twice. Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was greatly troubled by this thing; and he called his servants and said to them, “Will you not show me which of us is for the king of Israel?” And one of his servants said, “None, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.” So he said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send and get him.” And it was told him, saying, “Surely he is in Dothan.” Therefore he sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city. And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, and said, “LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (II Kings 6:8-17) In fact, we do not have to fight those battles. It is verse 17 that gives me comfort. And Elisha prayed, and said, “LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (II Kings 6:17) Give those battles to God, He has a way of fighting them for you.
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