The Encamped Angels

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Aug 5, 1913

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 40, No. 30.

The Encamped Angels

ONE of the most beautiful and at the same time one of the most comforting statements in all of the word of God is that which tells us that "the angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them," Ps. 34: 7. How good it is to know this! How good it is to have the knowledge enter into our experience that the mighty angels are with us! The individual who knows God and the blessed truth of His word, has a definite experience that enables him to understand that he has this protecting care from the infinite Father about him all the time.

The apostle, in writing the Hebrew letter, says of the angels, "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?" And the psalmist gives added consolation and beauty of expression in these further words referring to the work that the holy angels do for those whose trust and hope is in God. He says: "The Lord hath prepared His throne in the heavens; and His kingdom ruleth over all. Bless the Lord, ye His angels, that excel in strength, that do His commands, harkening unto the voice of His word. Bless ye the Lord, all ye His hosts; ye ministers of His, that do His pleasure." Ps. 103: 19-21.

We may never know, in this life, the dangers from which we are shielded by these accompanying angels. We may never know of the accidents and misfortunes of every kind that would have overtaken us had we not been attended by these faithful sentinels. But we may know, from the blessed assurances of God's word, that they are ever present with us. They are there to shield and protect us, and to answer every sincere desire that goes out toward the infinite Father.

You will sometimes find men who will try to have you believe that such a thing as a belief in these ministering angels is nothing short of superstition. But these same individuals will invite you to go to a spiritualistic séance, and tell you that unseen

spirits will visit them there. Thus they would endeavor to teach us that if we would follow them in seeking to the spirits that God's word forbids, there is no superstition; but that if we seek to be guided and kept under the influence and power of the ministering angels that God provides for each of us, we are superstitious. We prefer to avoid the superstitions that come to those who reject God's word, and to enter into the realities of the blessed experience known only to those who follow Him closely. T.