p. 1 | GUARDIAN ANGELS by L. A. Phippeny

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Apr 12, 1899

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 25, No. 15.

GUARDIAN ANGELS.

By L. A. Phippeny

ONE of the most precious assurances the child of God has is that he is under the constant watchcare of his heavenly Father. Not for one moment, day nor night, is he left alone, or does the Father allow the needs of His children to pass from His mind. "All my ways are before Thee," says David (Ps. 119:168); and, "The Lord thinketh upon me," because "I am poor and needy" (Ps. 40:17), is the rightful claim of every soul upon earth.

In an evil world, wrestling not against flesh and blood, the apparent antagonists, but against wicked angels that inspire the unkind words and evil deeds, the afflicted soul might well despair were it not for the assurance that God has power at hand to enable him to withstand these mighty, unseen foes. "This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles" (Ps. 34:6), is the promise—the fulfilled promise—to every one that calls for help. "The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear Him; He also will hear their cry, and will save them." Ps. 145:18, 19. "He delivereth them out of all their troubles." Ps. 34:17.

And He tells us the means He uses to do the mighty work: "The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them." Ps. 34:7. His angels "excel in strength," and "do His commandments, hearkening unto the voice of His word" (Ps. 103:20), and are abundantly able to protect from every assault or device of the enemy. The Lord has left on record numerous instances of the deliverance of His people by the heavenly messengers, and these records are for our encouragement day by day, moment by moment. To a few of them we will refer for comfort now.

Very early in the morning, after Daniel had been cast into the lions' den, the remorseful king came to the mouth of the den, and cried with a lamentable voice: "O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live forever. My God hath sent His angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me." Dan. 6:19-22. Behind the wicked edict that had placed Daniel in this dangerous place was Satan, with his evil angels. But the power sent of God prevailed.

In the early message, Satan inspired Herod to cast Peter into prison. Four quaternions of soldiers were detailed to keep guard over him, and at night he slept between two soldiers, bound by a chain to each. Strong and as sure as man could keep him, truly. But in the night, "behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison; and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands." And they went out, leaving the soldiers sleeping, past the keepers before the door of the prison, past the first and the second wards, to the great iron gate, which was opened by unseen hands, through one street to another, away from the prison, "and forthwith the angel departed from him. And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent His angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people." Acts 12:3-11.

Great assurance and peace have they who fear God and trust in Him. When the king of Syria compassed Dothan about with a great host, with horses and chariots, to take Elisha, the servant of the man of God was filled with consternation at what the morning revealed. But Elisha said: "Fear not; for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And 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." 2 Kings 6:13-17.

What a wonderful and comforting truth is here revealed! We may seem to be alone;

the situation may appear hopeless from a human standpoint, because of the numbers against us. With them we know are hosts of evil angels urging them on to annoy or to destroy. But, praise the Lord, "fear not; for they that be with us are more than they that be with them." "The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels." Ps. 68:17. "Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him; for there be more with us than with him; with him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God to help us, and to fight our battles." 2 Chron. 32:7, 8.

And if we truly appreciate this help, and realize that the thing is true, it will do for us what it did for the people then. "And the people rested themselves ["leaned themselves," margin] upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah." They were not troubled in mind, because they believed that with them were mighty angels of God, more than there were helpers with the king of Assyria. In his perplexity David said: "As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me. Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud; and He shall hear my voice." And the Lord did hear, for the psalmist's next words are, "He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me; for there were many with me." Ps. 55:16-18. Let us realize it.

What a comfort to know that with every child of God are mighty tho unseen companions, ever present to help and to guide aright! From dangers seen and unseen they protect those that fear the Lord, and even the wicked are often protected, in order that they may learn of God's goodness, and turn to Him. "He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways" (Ps. 91:11), is the promise to every one that fears God. "I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of My Father." Matt. 18:10. "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?" Heb. 1:14.

"Our fathers trusted in Thee; they trusted, and Thou didst deliver them. They cried unto Thee, and were delivered; they trusted in thee, and were not confounded" (Ps. 22:4, 5); "Yea, tho I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me" (Ps. 23:4); "Fear not, thou worm Jacob;" "for I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee" (Isa. 41:14, 13); "The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them."