§10. EVERY CHILD OF GOD HAS A GUARDIAN ANGEL

That the Lord sends an angel to watch over every saint is plainly taught in the Bible. This is assuring to those who appreciate the nature of the foes we have to meet in the Christian warfare. In our conflicts with the powers of darkness, the angels who excel in strength can give us that help which we so much need. They can impart to us light and strength and courage, and can be present to protect us from dangers both seen and unseen. Satan is well aware of this, as he said to the Lord, “Doth Job fear God for naught? Hast Thou not made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side?” Job 1:9, 10. And David informs us how it is that the Lord makes a hedge about His servants: “The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them.” Psalm 34:7. God’s angels constantly watched over Job and all that he had, so that no evil could approach him except as the Lord gave special permission.ATNM 33.2

What was true in Job’s case is true in that of every child of God. Of those that believe on Him, Christ says, “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.” Matthew 18:10. The phrase “their angels” shows that there are angels so closely connected with the servants of Christ that they are called their angels. When Rhoda affirmed that she had seen Peter at the gate, the brethren said, “It is his angel.” Acts 12:15. They did not mean that it was Peter’s spirit, for they supposed that he was yet alive and in the prison. They meant just what Christ said, and what they said, viz., that it was his angel, the one who attended him. Speaking of the time of trouble, it is said to the saints, “For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.” Psalm 91:11, 12.ATNM 34.1

It is directly affirmed that an angel accompanied the camp of Israel: “And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them.” Exodus 14:19. The wise man says: “Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error.” Ecclesiastes 5:6. This assumes that an angel is always present to hear what we say. In harmony with this the apostle says: “We are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.” 1 Corinthians 4:9. Because we cannot see the angels with our natural eyes, we are apt to forget that they are constantly with us, seeing and hearing us, and noting our words and conduct. But, according to the Bible, this is really the case. A beautiful illustration of this fact is found in 2 Kings 6. The king of Syria made war on the king of Israel. But the prophet Elisha revealed to the king of Israel all the plans and motives of the Syrians, so that he was able to defeat or elude them every time. The king of Syria, having learned what Elisha did, said to his servants: “Go and spy where he is, that I may send and fetch him. And it was told him, saying, Behold, he is in Dothan. Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host; and they came by night, and compassed the city about. And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?” They were in a close place, indeed, shut up in a small city, surrounded by a host of enemies. But how did Elisha feel about it? “And he answered, Fear not; for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.” We may naturally suppose that the servant looked around him in utter astonishment. But “Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray Thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw; and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.” Now the servant could well understand why Elisha was so confident and fearless. Legions of the angelic armies were around the man of God to deliver him, according to the sure promise of God. The servant could not see them; perhaps his master did not see them, but by faith he knew that they were there.ATNM 35.1

And the case of Jacob, recorded in Genesis 28:10-22, is a striking illustration of this truth. As he left his home for fear of his brother Esau, he lay down alone at night to sleep. “And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven; and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. And, behold, the Lord stood above it;” and he talked with Jacob. “And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not.” Angels of God were all around him, and the eyes of the Lord were upon him, but he had not realized it. Could we, too, only realize these solemn and joyful truths, we should often feel as did Jacob. Thus we have the fact abundantly substantiated that the angels are always with the children of men. What a consolation to the humble saint when afflicted, reproached, despised, and persecuted, to know that these heavenly messengers are his companions; that they sympathize with him in all his trials, protect him from the power of the devil, and strengthen him in his service to God!ATNM 36.1

These holy angels take a deep and lively interest in the salvation of the children of men. This is manifest from the many references to it in the Scriptures. The apostle says, “Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, ... which things the angels desire to look into.” 1 Peter 1:10-12. They rejoiced when our Saviour was born. To the shepherds the angel said: “Be hold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.... And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good-will toward men.” Luke 2:10-14. This indicates the great interest they feel in the plan of salvation for man. In heaven they assist Jesus, our High Priest, in His work for the saints. John, speaking of what he saw in heaven, says: “And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.” Revelation 8:3. Thus they bear our prayers up before God. How touching is the language of Christ: “Likewise, I say unto you, There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” Luke 15:10. They know the worth of a soul; they realize the value of heaven, and the awful doom of the ungodly. They labor long, and earnestly, and patiently, to rescue men from the power of Satan. When one is gained to the service of God, all the angels rejoice. Then what a tender interest, what deep anxiety, what sympathy, they must feel for every struggling soul! O my soul, take courage in God, who has made such gracious provision for thy help and thy salvation!ATNM 37.1

John, the beloved apostle of Christ, was banished to a lonely island, but the angels of God went with him. To one was given the honor of committing to him the revelation of the Son of God. Revelation 1:1. The Father gave the revelation to His Son, who sent His angel to make it known to John. And it has come down through the ages, a source of instruction and consolation to thousands of waiting ones. And so of all revelation. Paul said, “For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast,” etc. Hebrews 2:2. And Stephen said to and of the Jews, “Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.” Acts 7:53. And they have now the same interest in our welfare that they had in the work of salvation in the days of old. God’s promises are ever sure to all; His angels ever minister to the heirs of salvation.ATNM 38.1