Angels on Assignment

Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. (Matthew 18:10-14)

Did you notice a phrase in Matthew 18:10-14 that says, “their angels”? Let’s consider what Jesus meant by that. God assigns an angel to every child. You got an angel when you were born, too. Scripture often mentions angels on assignment to do a specific task or face a daunting challenge, but angels aren’t just for situations of biblical magnitude.

You’ve got an angel watching over you all the time, but you must cooperate with them. For example, angels will never lead you into sin; so if you are in sin, you’re not under angelic protection. You also need to speak God’s Word, because that puts the angels in motion. Just because you don’t see them doesn’t mean they’re not around you. You’ve got angelic help, and so does every little child.

A few verses earlier in the same Gospel, Jesus said that if anyone attacks or harms a child, their punishment from God would be so severe it would better for them to be drowned in the depths of the sea with a millstone tied around his neck. Do you remember the song, “Jesus loves the little children”? Although the tune may seem juvenile or simple, the revelation of that simple song is very true. God will protect, champion, and support children because they are innocent and sensitive to Him. You do not want to get between a child and their angel on assignment.

Practical Application

Be a part of God’s plan in protecting children. Work with the angels, not against them.

Luke 1:19; Hebrews 1:14

Forgiveness and Light

When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 8:10-12)

The woman in John 8:10-12 was caught committing adultery. This account in the Gospels brings up some interesting questions about the details that were left out of it. For example, there must have been a man involved in the sin too, but we see no mention of him.

Furthermore, have you ever wondered how the religious elite caught her in the act of adultery? Regardless of how they got it, they had evidence that would condemn her to death by stoning, according to the Law of Moses.

Jesus didn’t meet this woman with anger or threats of punishment. He met her with forgiveness. After He confronted those who would do her harm, He told her He didn’t condemn her. Jesus’ words of “go, and sin no more” show He didn’t forgive to enable further sin, but He forgave her so she would have the strength to live a changed and holy life.

Jesus wasted nothing, and He used this situation, which gathered a crowd, to tell them He is the light of the world. This descriptive name of Jesus tells us He always brings truth to dark situations. The woman caught in adultery was in a dark place, but with Jesus’ forgiveness, she walked away as a reflector of His light.

You and I are called not only to forgive others, but to drive out the efforts of darkness in the lives of those around us. As children, we sang, “this little light of mine,” but Christians are not little lights. They have the same light of life as Jesus because He gave His light to us.

Practical Application

How can God use you to defeat darkness today? Look for opportunities to speak life to someone, pray with someone, forgive or encourage someone. Be the light of Jesus and change atmospheres today. Be bold, step out, and act in faith.

John 12:35; Psalm 32:5

The Reality of the Spiritual Realm

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2)

The great cloud of witnesses includes those who have gone to heaven before us. It’s the grandma who faithfully prayed for you. The child that went to heaven before their parents is there too, along with the men and women of God who faithfully lived their lives in anticipation of seeing Jesus face-to-face. Imagine their faces and let that scene remind you that any moment of difficulty you encounter is not permanent.

In difficult times, remember those witnesses are cheering you on to finish your course on earth victoriously. Sadly, some think that killing themselves will end their difficulties and pain, but suicide won’t end anything. It just transfers you to what’s next. You are not just a physical body. You are a spirit that lives in a body and possesses a soul. Your spirit never dies.

Too often, people only focus on their natural circumstances, forgetting that their spirit is eternal, and it’s more real that the flesh and blood you can see and feel. Of course, you’re aware of the natural realm, but it’s important to remind yourself of the reality of things of the spirit.

God is real, and so are angels and demons. Whatever spiritual entities you allow into your life will influence you for good or evil. Evil spirits dominate some people because of ignorance, willingness, or open doors through which demons gain entrance.

Some common doors for demons could be the music people listen to, the things they watch on media, drugs they put in their bodies or other ongoing sin. We hear of stories of moms killing their children and they do not know why they did it. It was because demons dominated them.

Practical Application

Fellowship with God and expect His angels to work in your life. Put a guard around yourself from the enemy. Shield what you hear, watch, and what you do. Don’t allow sin to take hold in your life because it, too, is an open door to the devil.

Romans 13:11; 2 Corinthians 7:1