The Word for Today in Asia and the Pacific

‘My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths;’ Daniel  6:22 CSB

Here are some more situations when God might send an angel to help you.

1) When doing the right thing gets you into trouble. Doing God’s will put Daniel in the lions’ den, but God brought him out and publicly vindicated him. The king declared, ‘I issue a decree that in all my royal dominion, people must tremble in fear before the God of Daniel.’ (Daniel 6:26 CSB).

2) When you’re tired of battling temptation. When the urge to pick up a drink, drug, or cigarette feels overwhelming, or you think the only way out is to lie, or loneliness is driving you into the arms of the wrong person. After Jesus had battled temptation for 40 days, the Bible says, ‘Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him’ (Matthew 4:11 NKJV).

3) When the load you have been called to carry feels too heavy. Facing the indescribable agony of being crucified on a cross, Jesus prayed the defining prayer of His life: ‘“Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours be done.” Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.’ (Luke 22:42-43 NKJV).

God will strengthen you through His Word and prayer. Sometimes He will send people you know to help you do it. Paul wrote, ‘…we were harassed at every turn – conflicts on the outside, fears within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus…’ (2 Corinthians 7:5-6 NIV). Other times, He will send an angel.

Bottom line: when you call on God for help, you can be sure that help is on the way.

SoulFood: Luke 24:50-53, Acts 1:1-11, Eph 4:7-10

The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright © 2024

‘The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, And rescues them.’ Psalm 3 4:7 NASB

What are some other situations when God might send an angel to help you?

1) To get you out of trouble. Lot was living in Sodom, a city about to be destroyed because of its extreme sin. That’s when God sent angels to rescue him and his family from impending doom. Lot listened, obeyed, and survived, but sadly his wife didn’t, and she perished (see Genesis 19).

2) To change your life’s direction. ‘Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro…There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush’ (Exodus 3:1-2 NIV). Moses thought his life was over. He grew up in a palace and ended up in a pasture. But every experience, good and bad, had equipped him to lead the greatest migration of people in history.

3) When you’re facing your biggest challenge. In order to enter the promised land, Israel first had to conquer its biggest city, Jericho. And Joshua hadn’t a clue as to how to do it. That’s when God sent an angel with a plan that would literally bring down the walls (see Joshua 5:14).

4) When you have given it your best and want to give up. After his spectacular victory over the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, Jezebel put out a death threat on the prophet Elijah. How did it affect him? He told God he’d had enough and wanted to die. ‘Then he lay down and fell asleep … there was an angel touching him, and he said to him, “Arise, eat!”’ (1 Kings 19:4-5 NASB).

Even today, God still sends angels in disguise to help us.

SoulFood: Deut 14-17, Mark 7:1-13, Ps 37:25-31, Pro 12:1-3

The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright © 2024

‘He will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.’ Psalm 9 1:11 NLT

In what situation might God send an angel to help you?

1) When those you love and trust have disappointed you. Imagine how Hagar felt. In a joint decision with his wife, Sarah, Abraham got Hagar pregnant in order to try and fulfil God’s promise. Then Sarah conceived, and after Isaac was born, Abraham sent Hagar and Ishmael away into the wilderness. Not wanting to see her son die after their resources ran out, Hagar sat a bowshot away from Ishmael, lifted her voice, and wept. But God sent an angel to tell her that her son was a child of destiny from whom would come a great people (see Genesis 21:18).

2) When you’re facing embarrassment and can’t defend yourself. Mary planned to get married first and then have a baby. But God had a different plan. Not only was she facing public humiliation, but according to the law, she should be put to death. But God sent an angel to vindicate her and tell her that she was in the centre of His will (see Luke 1:34-38).

3) When you’re grieving the death of someone you love and fearing for your future. Mary Magdalene loved Jesus more than life itself, so when He died and was buried, she was distraught and heartbroken. That’s when God sent an angel to announce to two women: ‘He is not here: for he is risen …’ (Matthew 28:6 KJV).

The Bible says to show hospitality to strangers for some have entertained angels without knowing it. (see Hebrews 13:2). A cynical world will make you doubt that God actually loves you so much that He would send an angel to help you. But it’s true.

SoulFood: Deut 11-13, Mark 6:45-56, Ps 37:16-24, Pro 11:30-31

The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright © 2024

‘Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?’ Hebrews  1:14 NIV

God can come to you in varied forms. When Jesus appeared to His disciples and stilled the storm, they thought He was a ghost. So, your intellect can undermine your faith. The Bible says angels are ‘ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation’.

Have you ever seen an angel? They aren’t always dressed in white with dramatically arched wings. Sometimes they’re so ordinary that they’re overlooked. ‘Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it’ (Hebrews 13:2 NIV). Perhaps you think God doesn’t send angels because He has given us His Holy Spirit to help, protect, and guide us. Not so. Remember, God sent an angel to deliver Peter from prison on the eve of his execution. On his way to Rome, Paul was on board a ship that was destined to be destroyed by a ferocious storm. But God sent an angel to assure him he would survive it. So, Paul announced to the crew and passengers: ‘Take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, saying, “Do not be afraid, Paul”…Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me’ (Acts 27:22-25 NKJV).

You may not be able to see angels, but you can be certain that they see you; indeed, they never take their eyes off you! (See Matthew 18:10.)

SoulFood: Deut 8-10, Mark 6:30-44, Ps 37:8-15, Pro 11:27-29

The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright © 2024

‘Forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.’ Ephesians  4:32 NLT

The Bible says, ‘Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behaviour. Instead, be kind to each other, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you’ (Ephesians 4:31-32 NLT).

Are you struggling to forgive someone? Here is a prayer: ‘Lord, I praise You for forgiving me and washing my sins away. Reveal anything I need to confess to You today so that I can bring it before You and be cleansed and set free, especially any place in my heart where I have not forgiven someone. I know how subtly resentment and bitterness can build up and hinder my prayers. I recognise that my lack of forgiveness towards others can keep me from experiencing Your forgiveness (see Mark 11:25). To say that I need Your help to forgive others the way You have always been forgiving towards me is a huge understatement. You forgave the unforgivable on the cross. I acknowledge that I am incapable of forgiving on my own. Remind me that I cannot make my forgiveness conditional upon whether people deserve it or not and that the focus of my heart must remain on becoming more like You. Give me the grace to forgive and not hold forgiveness back until the other person says or does what I think they should. Take away any anger, bitterness, or resentment in my heart. Pour out Your Spirit upon me and cleanse me of all that’s not of You. Enable me to walk in the forgiveness You have given me and to extend it to others. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.’

SoulFood: Gal 5:22, Luke 6:27-36, Exo 23:1-9, Rom 12:14-21

The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright © 2024