Angels Unaware

Angels Unaware
By Alan Riley
This week's topic: Angels


"You're an angel!"


Have you ever had someone say this to you? Have you ever said this to someone because they showed you great kindness or helped you out when really needed it?

There is a popular misconception in the world about angels. Many believe that when someone dies and goes to heaven, they become an angel. Dozens of movie plots -- like Frank Capra's classic "It's a Wonderful Life" -- feature someone trying to "earn their wings" and become a full-fledged angel. Invariably, these people are described in the movie as having been human and now they are trying to become an angel. That idea makes for touching stories, but they are way off base according to God's word.

The Bible teaches that angels are created beings, and that when God made us, He made us "a little lower than the angels." We are told that angels are "ministering spirits" and God's word is full of examples of angels delivering messages for God or otherwise acting on God's behalf. Angels announced the birth of Jesus and were the first to tell the news of the Resurrection. People don't become angels when they go to heaven, but sometimes, angels apparently do pose as people.

One of the most interesting passages of scripture concerning angels is found in Hebrews 13:2 - "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it." It is clear from this passage that sometimes God sends angels "undercover," if you will, and they interact with people without their knowing.

Makes you wonder... have I ever interacted with an angel?

There was an instance in my family's life recently where the persons involved could easily have been "angels unaware." A little over a week ago, I put my daughter on a plane bound for Swaziland. She flew from Atlanta to Amsterdam - where she had a three hour layover - and then from Amsterdam to Johannesburg. She was to have a nine hour layover in Johannesburg, but she figured she would just take a nap there. When she arrived in Johannesburg, she was told the airport would be closing at midnight and that she could not stay in the airport.

There is very little that strikes fear in the heart of a father more than to get a call from your baby girl -- who is 6,000 miles away from you at the moment -- and she is in tears and saying she doesn't feel safe. I have never felt more helpless in my life. The only thing I could do is pray that God would protect her and send her help.

Over the next several hours, God sent a succession of people to her -- just at the right time -- who helped her get safely to the lobby of a nearby hotel and then to keep her company and even provide for her physical needs by making hot chocolate for her.

Certainly it is unlikely that those people were angels. It is far more likely that God moved in those people's hearts to help a young lady who was in a strange place, and was tired and scared. But isn't it great to know that God will summon the needed resources -- human or angelic -- in response to the prayers of His people?

Scripture Of The Day: "Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth." Psalm 124:8 (NKJV)


Alan Riley is Vice President for Ministry and Media Development for 316 Networks (http://www.316Networks.com), Streaming Faith’s sister media property. He can be found blogging at http://www.alansblog.com or more often opining in 140 characters or less at http://www.Twitter.com/AlanRiley.…