Elisha Prays as Fiery Chariots Surround the ArmyBible World
34:7Psalms 34:7
The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
The angel of the Lord pitches a guard day and night around those who fear Him and rescues them, giving sure protection and courage even when danger is unseen. God does this through heavenly angels of great strength who surround His people so the wicked one cannot break through, shielding them from Satan's power and malice and holding back evil angels who seek to destroy. This keeping belongs to those who seek the Lord, cry to Him, trust Him, love Him, keep His commandments, pray sincerely, obey Him and walk humbly and carefully before Him. Their deliverance covers Satan's attacks as a roaring lion, evil powers and deadly danger, calamity and perilous accidents, deceptive influence, discouragement and temptation, and the final time of trouble when the faithful are still guarded. Though the guard is mostly invisible, its care is real in every age, and remembering it brings gratitude, quiet faith, and courage amid difficulty.
Words and Psalm Setting
The angel of the Lord pitches his camp around those who fear Him and brings them deliverance, and this is the standing assurance of divine protection for all who reverence God. Though shielded people may not know how securely they are guarded, heavenly angels surround them, restrain the forces seeking their destruction, and save them from evil powers and harm. That guardianship carries assurance of care and salvation even when danger is unseen, and it gives courage for facing obstacles.
This encircling deliverance belongs together with seeking the Lord, crying to Him, trusting Him, tasting His goodness, and praising Him for it. It stands alongside His nearness to the brokenhearted and His rescue of the poor who cry to Him. So understood, it encourages the humble when under hostility to keep lowly and trust in the Lord as strength.
The psalm reveals the Lord's tender regard for subdued, contrite hearts, and every verse of Psalm 34, together with every verse of Psalm 32, holds an important lesson to be read. The high and holy One who inhabits eternity dwells with the one of contrite and humble spirit to revive the spirit of the humble and the heart of the contrite. His mercy rests from generation to generation on those who fear Him, while with His arm He shows strength in scattering the proud, putting down the mighty from their seats and exalting those of low degree, and filling the hungry with good things while sending the rich empty away.
To encamp is to keep a tent-guard by day and by night, as at a workers' encampment at Cooranbong that was guarded continually so no harm befell those feared by God. The encamped presence is the Lord Himself on the ground around those gathered for His work, caring for that work, delivering them, and keeping it from being overthrown. Even when a sandstorm struck and blew down family tents and larger tents, broke center poles, and left people without shelter, His people were not disturbed. At such times the prince of darkness exerts his power to annoy and perplex, yet the encamped presence holds firm.
How Angels Guard
God protects through heavenly angels who surround his people and deliver them from danger, and this is the agency by which the righteous are shielded from Satan's power and malice. Holy angels are used to protect and rescue, to restrain evil, and to defend the oppressed, and their help may be active even when human eyes do not recognize it. This aid and deliverance extends to every age.
Around God's people is stationed a guard of angels that excel in strength, sent from heaven to protect them so that the wicked one cannot break through. In their own strength people have no defense, and this shelter and deliverance in the superior power of the Redeemer is the only defense against Satan and his host. Evil angels constantly seek access to distract minds, disorder and torment bodies, and destroy possessions and lives, delighting only in misery and destruction, and fearful is the condition of those who resist divine claims and yield to temptation until given up to the control of evil spirits.
A vast army leaves the royal courts of heaven and comes down in chariots of fire to encamp in the valleys around those who love and fear God. Though invisible unless human eyes are opened, they surround the little flock in times of danger when Satan goes forth as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour, to guard and deliver them.
Each follower of Christ has a guardian angel who shields from the power of the wicked one, and the angels appointed to serve have access to God's presence. Each saint has an attending angel who watches over, carries news of distress or danger to heaven, and may be sent to encourage and help keep from straying. When people humbly ask God for help, their guardian angel stays by them, prompting toward a better course and guiding words and actions so they do not lead others into wrongdoing. A guardian angel attends continually, and when needed another angel is sent to raise a person above every earthly influence.
God's angels engage in ongoing battle with evil angels, enter even the darkest places to rescue God's children from snares, and drive evil angels back by their presence. Angels are commissioned to minister to those who will inherit salvation, to guard them, and to hold back the powers of darkness seeking to destroy them.
In the hour of peril and distress those who fear God are surrounded for protection and rescue, and in the time of trouble every faithful person is guarded so that weapons raised against fugitives fail, while angels may defend others in human form. When opposed by the rulers of this world, angels are present unknown in councils and in council halls and courts of justice as spokesmen who plead the cause of the oppressed better than the ablest human defenders. They defeat hostile purposes and stop evils that would hold back God's work and bring great suffering, even while human eyes see them and human lips, hands, appeals and counsels oppose, ridicule, insult and abuse them.
Angels also lead the faithful to places of safety and strengthen spirits with words of encouragement, and they protect from calamity. Heavenly messengers are present even when unseen, guiding, directing, and protecting workers, comforting the sorrowing, and helping lead people to Christ. They surround those willing to learn divine truth and divine things and, in great need, bring to mind the truths that meet temptation.
They come not to despise, rule over, consume, or require worship and homage, but as messengers of mercy to minister to those who shall be heirs of salvation in restoring the image of God in man. They cooperate with Christ and with human agents who seek and save the lost, and stand by those who do God's service by ministering to fellow men, including suffering humanity and those who have laid the temple of the soul in ruins as objects of divine compassion. When God's people obey, the way is already open and angels are round about and go everywhere as representatives, in communication with Christ and one with him so that those guarded can do the works of God.
Their protection may be unseen and extends to faithful followers in every age, guarding from dangers both seen and unseen, and the full extent of the dangers from which they are preserved will be known only in eternity. Were people half awake they would feel their companionship, though when spiritually asleep they may not feel the presence of those accompanying the little flock that serves God by ministering to others. Their conduct can make others recognize that they are under angelic care.
God would send every angel from heaven to surround faithful people like a hedge rather than let Satan's lying wonders deceive and lead them astray. When believers put on God's armor and stand against assaults, angels guard them and the enemy cannot overpower them, for providential care is a shield around them.
Dangers They Deliver From
Heavenly beings surround those who love and fear God to guard and deliver them, ministering especially when Satan threatens like a roaring lion seeking to devour and to destroy, and shielding from his attacks, evil powers, and deadly danger. That care is continual, preserving from harm while traveling and serving, giving confidence and trust and reproving lack of faith. A vast army leaves heaven’s royal courts in chariots of fire to encamp in valleys around the little flock, invisible unless eyes are opened, coming not to despise, rule, or require worship but to minister in restoring God’s image.
The same encircling rescue reaches perilous accidents and calamity, including everyday falls where the course of the fall is directed so the face strikes what is less harmful, the eye is spared, and the head is kept off ragged roots and stumps, leaving only bruising and soreness that calls for grateful thanks. Journeys undertaken in trust are made with the assurance of being accompanied and brought safely home.
Life is spared when disease endangers it and death seems marked, with angels hovering around the afflicted one who ventures out in the Lord’s name so Satan is disappointed of his prey. Such merciful deliverance makes murmuring inexcusable and deserving of anger. Even in severe sickness and struggle for breath, angels attend with comfort and assurance of Christ’s love, guarding the dying until falling asleep in Jesus.
Protection also keeps from deceptive influence, enabling departure unharmed with faith unchanged, as when a woman was kept from Shaker deception. In peril when Satan’s attacks are fierce and trial feels like consuming fire, angels comfort and protect, bringing peace, rest, content, gratitude, and love for Jesus. Their bright presence lifts the sick and feeble above infirmity, taking away weariness and pain and giving freedom, clearness, and power to speak, revealing God as present help, tower, and refuge for continued work.
They stay close beside those weighed down by discouragement and grief, giving quiet faith that the Lord will not leave or forsake. The troubled are called to stick to duty, trust fully, commit the soul as to a faithful Creator, and resist, for the Lord raises a standard against the enemy, though Satan will tempt again where he once overcame. Those who fear God are not left helpless against Satan or natural evil dispositions; as they trust and pray, needed help is given so they are not led captive. In temptation they need not be overcome by sin but can pray in faith and rely on divine power.
When help is humbly asked in danger of doing wrong, the attending guardian angel prompts toward a better course and guides words and actions so others are not led astray. In battle with Satan and evil angels no one is left to struggle alone, for heavenly angels guard so evil powers cannot disturb or influence, and victory comes by looking to Jesus as Helper, King, and Saviour. In hard strain and severe trial in the controversy between truth and error, that surrounding care, together with the Holy Spirit abiding on the believer through vital connection with God, keeps from rashness and unadvised speech so enemies of truth have no occasion to exult, giving every reason for thankfulness and praise.
History and Final Crisis
Three times each year Israel left home to worship at the central place of assembly, and though fierce warlike tribes around them were eager to seize their lands, though able-bodied men were gone, households were left unprotected, and the land lay open to invasion and captivity, divine power restrained enemies from laying waste homes with fire and sword, from invading the land, and even from desiring it. The same encamping deliverance reached David at Ziklag after he had missed his path, left God's strong mountain fortresses for refuge with avowed enemies of God and His people, lost his grasp on divine power, and turned aside from strict integrity while the purpose of his heart was still to be true. In great mercy he was not punished by being left to himself in distress and perplexity, but while Satan and his host helped God's and Israel's adversaries plan against him, angels worked to deliver him from being forced to fight Israel by moving the Philistine princes to protest his presence with the army.
Remembering that angels surround and deliver those who fear God banishes fear and gives courage, as seen in the heavenly host around Elisha, in the angel bringing Peter safely out of prison, and in the preservation of all aboard Paul's ship because Paul trusted the promise and served as a channel of care. Luther was kept from falling prey to the fury of Roman zealots, slaves of formalism and superstition who clamored for his blood because he met appeals to custom and tradition and to papal assertion and authority with the Bible and the Bible alone, arguments they could not answer, and angels encamped around him to deliver him from death while God still had work for him to do. His confidence that he was in God's hands was illustrated when a would-be attacker fled as from the presence of heaven's angels, yet this protection does not spare all the faithful, for many who received precious light became objects of Satan's wrath and for truth's sake fearlessly suffered torture and death.
Grynaeus was warned through a holy angel and so escaped arrest and possible death. Paul's escape from the mob at Ephesus showed angels guarding the faithful, for his time to die as a martyr had not yet come. When enemies plotted to kill Miller as he left a meeting, a holy angel in human form took his arm and led him safely away, preserving his life because his work was not yet finished. In Wesley's danger from an enraged mob an angel in human form came beside him, the crowd fell back, and he escaped safely, and his repeated deliverances from blows and death illustrate that protection. The Pilgrim Fathers likewise had angels beside them in exile and hardship, encouraging, supporting, and delivering those who trust and fear God.
A train wreck illustrates the same care, for a car was separated from the wreckage as if an angel had uncoupled it, preserving the travelers' lives. At Dansville angels kept and sustained a couple every hour, and when they could no longer benefit by remaining there they left and went among the brethren in Rochester. In the time of trouble every faithful person is guarded, with angels aiding and delivering God's people as in every age, defending some in human form while weapons raised against pursued fugitives fail. Though saints appear surrounded by wicked men and evil angels, holy angels stand between them and their attackers and force them back.
In the time of Jacob's trouble angels guard the faithful from attempts to kill them, and God provides for their needs so apparent helplessness does not mean abandonment. Threatened with death for keeping the Sabbath and surrounded by danger in solitary places, the saints are protected from attack, provided for, able to remain calm, and assured that God will make a way of escape in answer to their cries. In the shaking the faithful company is guarded so that evil angels pressing around cannot harm them and believers gain the victory. Those struggling against darkness pressed upon them by evil angels and earnestly calling on God are protected and brought to deliverance. Heavenly hosts are ready to help today as in ancient Israel, giving courage when discouraged.
Who Receives Protection
The promise belongs to those who day by day look to God, trust in Him, and rely upon Him. Living under the tremendous realities of the unseen world means living with awareness of God as ever present, knowing every act, hearing every word, and knowing the desires and intents and purposes of the heart. Those who cultivate faith gain knowledge of His existence and attributes and freedom to approach Him as Father. They feel they were never meant to carry responsibilities alone but are compassed by angels with a loving God present, objects of His wise and loving care. Able by faith to draw from His infinite resources, with all events in His hands while working out His plans, they are to make God their help and strength and put the very best material into character building in the little time left.
It is for those who love God, keep His commandments, and pray sincerely, and even children with few and broken prayers are heard and protected because God looks at the heart. Holy angels surround those who obey God and keep them in the narrow way. Heavenly messengers are present to protect those who seek God, in answer to the prayer of faith. The Lord's angels surround those who rely on His care and fear Him, and those who fear Him and walk in His ways receive His instruction, whatever their circumstances. God's angels surround and deliver those who fear Him, and they are ready to help people who walk carefully, prayerfully, and humbly before Him.
Those who seek God with contrition of soul receive divine enlightenment as His angels encamp round about them and minister to them. That ministry helps them discern between the sacred and the common so they are not blinded to the real nature of Satan's deceptions. Without it they would be led to reverence his hellish banner set up in their homes as the banner of Christ. A nominal faith and a nominal religion does not receive this encircling ministry and finds no favor with God.
Angels are beside those who are determined to know the Lord, watching every effort against wrong and understanding every difficulty. Their nearness means help for those who in meekness give up their own way for Christ's way. Those who take His yoke cheerfully receive daily strength from Him to overcome, pressing on until they are gathered home saved and eternally saved.
The angels of the Lord stay round about those who fear Him day and night to care for them, bless them, give them peace and make them happy. This is because the Lord loves and pities them like a father pities his children. So when the enemy tempts them they can refuse him victory by holding to the love of Jesus and not grieving His Holy Spirit.
God's holy angels guard and deliver those who fear Him, protecting humble followers of Jesus who trust in God's power, even while evil angels work through human minds to obstruct God's light. Their presence is part of His loving care and protection through trials, and the Lord guides those who seek Him into right paths.
Those who rest by faith on God's promises and maintain their integrity can trust that His angels will be around them, while the Lord orders their steps and sustains them. The verse applies to those who cling to what is right and depend on Christ: wherever Christ is present, angels are there to communicate power, grace, and glory.
In conflict with Satan and the powers of darkness, God's angels do not abandon His servants, who must put their trust in God. Earnest supplication to God in faith brings heavenly angels near and is the only defense against Satan's wily arts to entrap and destroy. Special seeking of the Lord is needed in offices of publication to know His way and to receive grace to resist the enemy when he comes into institutions at times like a flood and seems ready to sweep everything before him. The precious, wondrous light given must be improved in life instead of acting as if well enough off as it is.
Angels will be round about God's people wherever they go. This encircling protection requires each person to have a connection with Jesus Christ and to do the works of God, staying wide-awake, full of zeal and love for God, and advancing step by step heavenward. It belongs to preparation for the grand review soon to take place, when what is believed and what character is will be examined. Meanwhile Satan gathers the knowledge he had as an angel of light to deceive the very elect and to claim the world as his subjects.
God's protection does not mean a person should expose himself to danger unnecessarily; he should make the Lord his whole dependence.
Those who cherish known sin separate themselves from God and from the watch-care of His angels, leaving them vulnerable to Satan's deceptions. Those who separate themselves from Christ through sin are in great danger, since God may give them over to Satan and allow him to act against them. Those who remain faithful to God and cling to Jesus by living faith are protected by heavenly angels, and Satan is not allowed to destroy them. Those connected with counter influences that weaken the truth's impression are not surrounded by God's angels.
Those who fear and reverence God have angels dwelling among them. Reverencing God gives correct ideas of entire dependence upon God. Those who resist temptation, respect themselves as redeemed at an infinite price, cut loose from the slavery of Satan's power, refuse cheap and mean practices that dishonor body and soul, and reverence themselves by reverencing God are called sons of God. Angels dwell among them as powerful, consecrated workmen cooperating with God in restoring in man the moral image of God.
God's angels surround those who fear and obey Him and deliver them. Their presence accompanies a life of obedience, strengthening believers as they put aside grudges and differences. God's protection and help enable their influence to carry conviction and make good impressions on others. When God's people obey Him the way is already open and the angels of God are round about them and go with them everywhere as His representatives. The encamping angels are in communication with Jesus Christ and one with Him, so that those they guard can do the works of God.
Those who fear God and depend on Christ are surrounded and delivered by His mighty angel. When they meet duty and trial humbly and seek Christ for wisdom and strength, He is an all-sufficient helper in every emergency.
Living by the Promise
Remembering that unseen guardianship is a reason for continual gratitude and confidence in God even amid difficulties, and for resting in quiet faith that the Lord will not leave or forsake those who trust Him. It gives courage amid trials and discouragement.
Traveling canvassers who put trust in the Lord as they go from place to place in house-to-house work have angels encamped around them to deliver them. Those angels give them words to speak that bring light and hope and courage to many souls. Angels remain beside servants of God in encouragement and in discouragement, working upon hearts to give success, and this calls for dependence on God with gratitude and cheerful praise.
Ministering angels encamp around workers who do decided work to accomplish God's plan, making every stroke tell for the Master, as in canvassing for Christ's Object Lessons as a relief book, with God vitalizing His people for work as never before for their own good and for the upbuilding of His cause. When the Lord gives His loved ones a special work to do He sends His angels to be round about them to guard and sustain them through very trying seasons. That care includes attending important public gatherings to sow the seeds of truth and defend it before precious souls who need to understand the Scriptures. Faithful workers who walk with God and do His work are surrounded by angels with special care, and in a hard field angels have defended workers and not left them to toil alone, continuing to work with their efforts as they trust Him and remain meek and lowly of heart.
Workers who consecrate themselves to bringing people to the truth have angels around them as they work, while God does what they cannot do themselves. Faithful service is accompanied by angelic care. Even during ordinary work in the field when truth is being shared, angels encamp about those who fear Him, and their surrounding presence can be felt. The same protection and presence was illustrated by angels around workers building a meetinghouse.
Angels are on the encampment where those who fear Him gather with fervent prayer and earnest intercession, confession of brother to brother, weeping, forgiveness, and thorough heart work, and their encircling presence brings blessing, light and shining countenances, peace, joy, and growing strength. They walk up and down upon the campground where God's servants preach, keeping away disturbance and idle curiosity so people come directly to the large meeting tent and sit spellbound for an hour and a half by day and evening, listening to discourses and receiving great light that warms the heart with God's love. On campmeeting ground where people gather to hear the Word, angels encamp round about them to bring order and quiet so there is no disturbance and minds and hearts can listen and receive fresh light.
Parents should pray in faith for God to remain with the family and for holy angels to guard them and their children from Satan's power. Faithful, prayerful training of children is accompanied by angelic protection, and this makes ordinary family life sacred. In a home where Christ reigns, angels are present as guests, and their holy watch hallows the marriage relationship.
When children facing temptation pray to Jesus for help, angels gather around them and lead them into safe paths. Teachers who often pray to God have holy angels beside them to surround and deliver. Young people seeking to be loyal and steadfast servants of God have His angels about them and stand on holy ground. The same assurance attends youth as they pursue education and seek to serve God and honor Him with protection.
Angels of heaven surround those who fear God and seek to fit themselves for labor for Him, encamping around students as they prepare for service. This promise belongs to colored students preparing to work for their own people just as much as to white students qualifying to labor for Christ, because the Lord is the willing Saviour and helper of all and is just as willing to help one group prepare as the other.
Those willing to learn divine truth have angels surrounding them who, when in great need, bring to mind truths that meet temptation. This help in remembering what answers temptation is a safeguard in Scripture study and Sabbath-school work.
Heavenly angels accompany and protect those who fear God, including the Christian physician whom they accompany into the sickroom. In dangerous operations Jesus is by the physician's side to counsel and strengthen him. Patients can believe heavenly angels are around them, watching to do them good and desiring their health in soul, body, and spirit.
When excellent care is taken of health without abusing the digestive organs, encamping angels cooperate with human efforts. Obtaining wisdom, truth, and right relation to God requires not abusing the digestive organs. The encamping angels want to bring people into a condition to accept very precious light and stay in right health so they can obtain all essential knowledge, work in cooperation with them, carry out the knowledge God wants them to have, and not spoil themselves by indulgence.
Angels surround those who fear God and draw near to those who compassionately help the erring, repentant, and fallen, supporting them by bringing to mind words that soothe and encourage. They are messengers of mercy cooperating with Christ and with human agents who seek and save the lost, encamping around those who fear and love God. This calls for care and respect toward God's little ones and for diligent efforts to seek and restore those who have strayed.
Ministering angels surround the believer who serves Christ faithfully and help in the spiritual conflict, so the believer can face the struggle with confidence and not be overcome. A faithful soldier can stand boldly and not be overcome. The verse assures those who fear God that His angels surround and deliver them as a promise of protection and care even in suffering and imprisonment.
Angels seemed to be all around a couple during prayer and spiritual blessing, strengthening them for further trials though deliverance from illness had not yet come. A journey to Battle Creek was made in trust that God would accompany the travelers and safely bring them home, with the sense that His angels were around them. Believers are to act in faith remembering that the Lord Jesus is by their side and His glory enfolds them as they serve others.
The encircling presence is revealed when men in responsibility do not act as rulers but are Christlike in deportment, putting all selfishness and greed out of their hearts and walking humbly with God, which is the reformation to be seen in them. Angels are present in the midst of the few who love Jesus and fear Him by keeping His commandments, including the Sabbath, and declaring the soon coming of Christ. Their presence gives strength and support against opposition and assurance that God is with His people, with practical deliverance when threatened with prison or mob violence for obedience, as God cares for them, turns officers to their assistance, and turns threatened punishment back on persecutors.
The angel of the Lord pitches a guard day and night around those who fear Him and rescues them, giving sure protection and courage even when danger is unseen. God does this through heavenly angels of great strength who surround His people so the wicked one cannot break through, shielding them from Satan's power and malice and holding back evil angels who seek to destroy. This keeping belongs to those who seek the Lord, cry to Him, trust Him, love Him, keep His commandments, pray sincerely, obey Him and walk humbly and carefully before Him. Their deliverance covers Satan's attacks as a roaring lion, evil powers and deadly danger, calamity and perilous accidents, deceptive influence, discouragement and temptation, and the final time of trouble when the faithful are still guarded. Though the guard is mostly invisible, its care is real in every age, and remembering it brings gratitude, quiet faith, and courage amid difficulty.
Words and Psalm Setting
The angel of the Lord pitches his camp around those who fear Him and brings them deliverance, and this is the standing assurance of divine protection for all who reverence God. Though shielded people may not know how securely they are guarded, heavenly angels surround them, restrain the forces seeking their destruction, and save them from evil powers and harm. That guardianship carries assurance of care and salvation even when danger is unseen, and it gives courage for facing obstacles.
This encircling deliverance belongs together with seeking the Lord, crying to Him, trusting Him, tasting His goodness, and praising Him for it. It stands alongside His nearness to the brokenhearted and His rescue of the poor who cry to Him. So understood, it encourages the humble when under hostility to keep lowly and trust in the Lord as strength.
The psalm reveals the Lord's tender regard for subdued, contrite hearts, and every verse of Psalm 34, together with every verse of Psalm 32, holds an important lesson to be read. The high and holy One who inhabits eternity dwells with the one of contrite and humble spirit to revive the spirit of the humble and the heart of the contrite. His mercy rests from generation to generation on those who fear Him, while with His arm He shows strength in scattering the proud, putting down the mighty from their seats and exalting those of low degree, and filling the hungry with good things while sending the rich empty away.
To encamp is to keep a tent-guard by day and by night, as at a workers' encampment at Cooranbong that was guarded continually so no harm befell those feared by God. The encamped presence is the Lord Himself on the ground around those gathered for His work, caring for that work, delivering them, and keeping it from being overthrown. Even when a sandstorm struck and blew down family tents and larger tents, broke center poles, and left people without shelter, His people were not disturbed. At such times the prince of darkness exerts his power to annoy and perplex, yet the encamped presence holds firm.
How Angels Guard
God protects through heavenly angels who surround his people and deliver them from danger, and this is the agency by which the righteous are shielded from Satan's power and malice. Holy angels are used to protect and rescue, to restrain evil, and to defend the oppressed, and their help may be active even when human eyes do not recognize it. This aid and deliverance extends to every age.
Around God's people is stationed a guard of angels that excel in strength, sent from heaven to protect them so that the wicked one cannot break through. In their own strength people have no defense, and this shelter and deliverance in the superior power of the Redeemer is the only defense against Satan and his host. Evil angels constantly seek access to distract minds, disorder and torment bodies, and destroy possessions and lives, delighting only in misery and destruction, and fearful is the condition of those who resist divine claims and yield to temptation until given up to the control of evil spirits.
A vast army leaves the royal courts of heaven and comes down in chariots of fire to encamp in the valleys around those who love and fear God. Though invisible unless human eyes are opened, they surround the little flock in times of danger when Satan goes forth as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour, to guard and deliver them.
Each follower of Christ has a guardian angel who shields from the power of the wicked one, and the angels appointed to serve have access to God's presence. Each saint has an attending angel who watches over, carries news of distress or danger to heaven, and may be sent to encourage and help keep from straying. When people humbly ask God for help, their guardian angel stays by them, prompting toward a better course and guiding words and actions so they do not lead others into wrongdoing. A guardian angel attends continually, and when needed another angel is sent to raise a person above every earthly influence.
God's angels engage in ongoing battle with evil angels, enter even the darkest places to rescue God's children from snares, and drive evil angels back by their presence. Angels are commissioned to minister to those who will inherit salvation, to guard them, and to hold back the powers of darkness seeking to destroy them.
In the hour of peril and distress those who fear God are surrounded for protection and rescue, and in the time of trouble every faithful person is guarded so that weapons raised against fugitives fail, while angels may defend others in human form. When opposed by the rulers of this world, angels are present unknown in councils and in council halls and courts of justice as spokesmen who plead the cause of the oppressed better than the ablest human defenders. They defeat hostile purposes and stop evils that would hold back God's work and bring great suffering, even while human eyes see them and human lips, hands, appeals and counsels oppose, ridicule, insult and abuse them.
Angels also lead the faithful to places of safety and strengthen spirits with words of encouragement, and they protect from calamity. Heavenly messengers are present even when unseen, guiding, directing, and protecting workers, comforting the sorrowing, and helping lead people to Christ. They surround those willing to learn divine truth and divine things and, in great need, bring to mind the truths that meet temptation.
They come not to despise, rule over, consume, or require worship and homage, but as messengers of mercy to minister to those who shall be heirs of salvation in restoring the image of God in man. They cooperate with Christ and with human agents who seek and save the lost, and stand by those who do God's service by ministering to fellow men, including suffering humanity and those who have laid the temple of the soul in ruins as objects of divine compassion. When God's people obey, the way is already open and angels are round about and go everywhere as representatives, in communication with Christ and one with him so that those guarded can do the works of God.
Their protection may be unseen and extends to faithful followers in every age, guarding from dangers both seen and unseen, and the full extent of the dangers from which they are preserved will be known only in eternity. Were people half awake they would feel their companionship, though when spiritually asleep they may not feel the presence of those accompanying the little flock that serves God by ministering to others. Their conduct can make others recognize that they are under angelic care.
God would send every angel from heaven to surround faithful people like a hedge rather than let Satan's lying wonders deceive and lead them astray. When believers put on God's armor and stand against assaults, angels guard them and the enemy cannot overpower them, for providential care is a shield around them.
Dangers They Deliver From
Heavenly beings surround those who love and fear God to guard and deliver them, ministering especially when Satan threatens like a roaring lion seeking to devour and to destroy, and shielding from his attacks, evil powers, and deadly danger. That care is continual, preserving from harm while traveling and serving, giving confidence and trust and reproving lack of faith. A vast army leaves heaven’s royal courts in chariots of fire to encamp in valleys around the little flock, invisible unless eyes are opened, coming not to despise, rule, or require worship but to minister in restoring God’s image.
The same encircling rescue reaches perilous accidents and calamity, including everyday falls where the course of the fall is directed so the face strikes what is less harmful, the eye is spared, and the head is kept off ragged roots and stumps, leaving only bruising and soreness that calls for grateful thanks. Journeys undertaken in trust are made with the assurance of being accompanied and brought safely home.
Life is spared when disease endangers it and death seems marked, with angels hovering around the afflicted one who ventures out in the Lord’s name so Satan is disappointed of his prey. Such merciful deliverance makes murmuring inexcusable and deserving of anger. Even in severe sickness and struggle for breath, angels attend with comfort and assurance of Christ’s love, guarding the dying until falling asleep in Jesus.
Protection also keeps from deceptive influence, enabling departure unharmed with faith unchanged, as when a woman was kept from Shaker deception. In peril when Satan’s attacks are fierce and trial feels like consuming fire, angels comfort and protect, bringing peace, rest, content, gratitude, and love for Jesus. Their bright presence lifts the sick and feeble above infirmity, taking away weariness and pain and giving freedom, clearness, and power to speak, revealing God as present help, tower, and refuge for continued work.
They stay close beside those weighed down by discouragement and grief, giving quiet faith that the Lord will not leave or forsake. The troubled are called to stick to duty, trust fully, commit the soul as to a faithful Creator, and resist, for the Lord raises a standard against the enemy, though Satan will tempt again where he once overcame. Those who fear God are not left helpless against Satan or natural evil dispositions; as they trust and pray, needed help is given so they are not led captive. In temptation they need not be overcome by sin but can pray in faith and rely on divine power.
When help is humbly asked in danger of doing wrong, the attending guardian angel prompts toward a better course and guides words and actions so others are not led astray. In battle with Satan and evil angels no one is left to struggle alone, for heavenly angels guard so evil powers cannot disturb or influence, and victory comes by looking to Jesus as Helper, King, and Saviour. In hard strain and severe trial in the controversy between truth and error, that surrounding care, together with the Holy Spirit abiding on the believer through vital connection with God, keeps from rashness and unadvised speech so enemies of truth have no occasion to exult, giving every reason for thankfulness and praise.
History and Final Crisis
Three times each year Israel left home to worship at the central place of assembly, and though fierce warlike tribes around them were eager to seize their lands, though able-bodied men were gone, households were left unprotected, and the land lay open to invasion and captivity, divine power restrained enemies from laying waste homes with fire and sword, from invading the land, and even from desiring it. The same encamping deliverance reached David at Ziklag after he had missed his path, left God's strong mountain fortresses for refuge with avowed enemies of God and His people, lost his grasp on divine power, and turned aside from strict integrity while the purpose of his heart was still to be true. In great mercy he was not punished by being left to himself in distress and perplexity, but while Satan and his host helped God's and Israel's adversaries plan against him, angels worked to deliver him from being forced to fight Israel by moving the Philistine princes to protest his presence with the army.
Remembering that angels surround and deliver those who fear God banishes fear and gives courage, as seen in the heavenly host around Elisha, in the angel bringing Peter safely out of prison, and in the preservation of all aboard Paul's ship because Paul trusted the promise and served as a channel of care. Luther was kept from falling prey to the fury of Roman zealots, slaves of formalism and superstition who clamored for his blood because he met appeals to custom and tradition and to papal assertion and authority with the Bible and the Bible alone, arguments they could not answer, and angels encamped around him to deliver him from death while God still had work for him to do. His confidence that he was in God's hands was illustrated when a would-be attacker fled as from the presence of heaven's angels, yet this protection does not spare all the faithful, for many who received precious light became objects of Satan's wrath and for truth's sake fearlessly suffered torture and death.
Grynaeus was warned through a holy angel and so escaped arrest and possible death. Paul's escape from the mob at Ephesus showed angels guarding the faithful, for his time to die as a martyr had not yet come. When enemies plotted to kill Miller as he left a meeting, a holy angel in human form took his arm and led him safely away, preserving his life because his work was not yet finished. In Wesley's danger from an enraged mob an angel in human form came beside him, the crowd fell back, and he escaped safely, and his repeated deliverances from blows and death illustrate that protection. The Pilgrim Fathers likewise had angels beside them in exile and hardship, encouraging, supporting, and delivering those who trust and fear God.
A train wreck illustrates the same care, for a car was separated from the wreckage as if an angel had uncoupled it, preserving the travelers' lives. At Dansville angels kept and sustained a couple every hour, and when they could no longer benefit by remaining there they left and went among the brethren in Rochester. In the time of trouble every faithful person is guarded, with angels aiding and delivering God's people as in every age, defending some in human form while weapons raised against pursued fugitives fail. Though saints appear surrounded by wicked men and evil angels, holy angels stand between them and their attackers and force them back.
In the time of Jacob's trouble angels guard the faithful from attempts to kill them, and God provides for their needs so apparent helplessness does not mean abandonment. Threatened with death for keeping the Sabbath and surrounded by danger in solitary places, the saints are protected from attack, provided for, able to remain calm, and assured that God will make a way of escape in answer to their cries. In the shaking the faithful company is guarded so that evil angels pressing around cannot harm them and believers gain the victory. Those struggling against darkness pressed upon them by evil angels and earnestly calling on God are protected and brought to deliverance. Heavenly hosts are ready to help today as in ancient Israel, giving courage when discouraged.
Who Receives Protection
The promise belongs to those who day by day look to God, trust in Him, and rely upon Him. Living under the tremendous realities of the unseen world means living with awareness of God as ever present, knowing every act, hearing every word, and knowing the desires and intents and purposes of the heart. Those who cultivate faith gain knowledge of His existence and attributes and freedom to approach Him as Father. They feel they were never meant to carry responsibilities alone but are compassed by angels with a loving God present, objects of His wise and loving care. Able by faith to draw from His infinite resources, with all events in His hands while working out His plans, they are to make God their help and strength and put the very best material into character building in the little time left.
It is for those who love God, keep His commandments, and pray sincerely, and even children with few and broken prayers are heard and protected because God looks at the heart. Holy angels surround those who obey God and keep them in the narrow way. Heavenly messengers are present to protect those who seek God, in answer to the prayer of faith. The Lord's angels surround those who rely on His care and fear Him, and those who fear Him and walk in His ways receive His instruction, whatever their circumstances. God's angels surround and deliver those who fear Him, and they are ready to help people who walk carefully, prayerfully, and humbly before Him.
Those who seek God with contrition of soul receive divine enlightenment as His angels encamp round about them and minister to them. That ministry helps them discern between the sacred and the common so they are not blinded to the real nature of Satan's deceptions. Without it they would be led to reverence his hellish banner set up in their homes as the banner of Christ. A nominal faith and a nominal religion does not receive this encircling ministry and finds no favor with God.
Angels are beside those who are determined to know the Lord, watching every effort against wrong and understanding every difficulty. Their nearness means help for those who in meekness give up their own way for Christ's way. Those who take His yoke cheerfully receive daily strength from Him to overcome, pressing on until they are gathered home saved and eternally saved.
The angels of the Lord stay round about those who fear Him day and night to care for them, bless them, give them peace and make them happy. This is because the Lord loves and pities them like a father pities his children. So when the enemy tempts them they can refuse him victory by holding to the love of Jesus and not grieving His Holy Spirit.
God's holy angels guard and deliver those who fear Him, protecting humble followers of Jesus who trust in God's power, even while evil angels work through human minds to obstruct God's light. Their presence is part of His loving care and protection through trials, and the Lord guides those who seek Him into right paths.
Those who rest by faith on God's promises and maintain their integrity can trust that His angels will be around them, while the Lord orders their steps and sustains them. The verse applies to those who cling to what is right and depend on Christ: wherever Christ is present, angels are there to communicate power, grace, and glory.
In conflict with Satan and the powers of darkness, God's angels do not abandon His servants, who must put their trust in God. Earnest supplication to God in faith brings heavenly angels near and is the only defense against Satan's wily arts to entrap and destroy. Special seeking of the Lord is needed in offices of publication to know His way and to receive grace to resist the enemy when he comes into institutions at times like a flood and seems ready to sweep everything before him. The precious, wondrous light given must be improved in life instead of acting as if well enough off as it is.
Angels will be round about God's people wherever they go. This encircling protection requires each person to have a connection with Jesus Christ and to do the works of God, staying wide-awake, full of zeal and love for God, and advancing step by step heavenward. It belongs to preparation for the grand review soon to take place, when what is believed and what character is will be examined. Meanwhile Satan gathers the knowledge he had as an angel of light to deceive the very elect and to claim the world as his subjects.
God's protection does not mean a person should expose himself to danger unnecessarily; he should make the Lord his whole dependence.
Those who cherish known sin separate themselves from God and from the watch-care of His angels, leaving them vulnerable to Satan's deceptions. Those who separate themselves from Christ through sin are in great danger, since God may give them over to Satan and allow him to act against them. Those who remain faithful to God and cling to Jesus by living faith are protected by heavenly angels, and Satan is not allowed to destroy them. Those connected with counter influences that weaken the truth's impression are not surrounded by God's angels.
Those who fear and reverence God have angels dwelling among them. Reverencing God gives correct ideas of entire dependence upon God. Those who resist temptation, respect themselves as redeemed at an infinite price, cut loose from the slavery of Satan's power, refuse cheap and mean practices that dishonor body and soul, and reverence themselves by reverencing God are called sons of God. Angels dwell among them as powerful, consecrated workmen cooperating with God in restoring in man the moral image of God.
God's angels surround those who fear and obey Him and deliver them. Their presence accompanies a life of obedience, strengthening believers as they put aside grudges and differences. God's protection and help enable their influence to carry conviction and make good impressions on others. When God's people obey Him the way is already open and the angels of God are round about them and go with them everywhere as His representatives. The encamping angels are in communication with Jesus Christ and one with Him, so that those they guard can do the works of God.
Those who fear God and depend on Christ are surrounded and delivered by His mighty angel. When they meet duty and trial humbly and seek Christ for wisdom and strength, He is an all-sufficient helper in every emergency.
Living by the Promise
Remembering that unseen guardianship is a reason for continual gratitude and confidence in God even amid difficulties, and for resting in quiet faith that the Lord will not leave or forsake those who trust Him. It gives courage amid trials and discouragement.
Traveling canvassers who put trust in the Lord as they go from place to place in house-to-house work have angels encamped around them to deliver them. Those angels give them words to speak that bring light and hope and courage to many souls. Angels remain beside servants of God in encouragement and in discouragement, working upon hearts to give success, and this calls for dependence on God with gratitude and cheerful praise.
Ministering angels encamp around workers who do decided work to accomplish God's plan, making every stroke tell for the Master, as in canvassing for Christ's Object Lessons as a relief book, with God vitalizing His people for work as never before for their own good and for the upbuilding of His cause. When the Lord gives His loved ones a special work to do He sends His angels to be round about them to guard and sustain them through very trying seasons. That care includes attending important public gatherings to sow the seeds of truth and defend it before precious souls who need to understand the Scriptures. Faithful workers who walk with God and do His work are surrounded by angels with special care, and in a hard field angels have defended workers and not left them to toil alone, continuing to work with their efforts as they trust Him and remain meek and lowly of heart.
Workers who consecrate themselves to bringing people to the truth have angels around them as they work, while God does what they cannot do themselves. Faithful service is accompanied by angelic care. Even during ordinary work in the field when truth is being shared, angels encamp about those who fear Him, and their surrounding presence can be felt. The same protection and presence was illustrated by angels around workers building a meetinghouse.
Angels are on the encampment where those who fear Him gather with fervent prayer and earnest intercession, confession of brother to brother, weeping, forgiveness, and thorough heart work, and their encircling presence brings blessing, light and shining countenances, peace, joy, and growing strength. They walk up and down upon the campground where God's servants preach, keeping away disturbance and idle curiosity so people come directly to the large meeting tent and sit spellbound for an hour and a half by day and evening, listening to discourses and receiving great light that warms the heart with God's love. On campmeeting ground where people gather to hear the Word, angels encamp round about them to bring order and quiet so there is no disturbance and minds and hearts can listen and receive fresh light.
Parents should pray in faith for God to remain with the family and for holy angels to guard them and their children from Satan's power. Faithful, prayerful training of children is accompanied by angelic protection, and this makes ordinary family life sacred. In a home where Christ reigns, angels are present as guests, and their holy watch hallows the marriage relationship.
When children facing temptation pray to Jesus for help, angels gather around them and lead them into safe paths. Teachers who often pray to God have holy angels beside them to surround and deliver. Young people seeking to be loyal and steadfast servants of God have His angels about them and stand on holy ground. The same assurance attends youth as they pursue education and seek to serve God and honor Him with protection.
Angels of heaven surround those who fear God and seek to fit themselves for labor for Him, encamping around students as they prepare for service. This promise belongs to colored students preparing to work for their own people just as much as to white students qualifying to labor for Christ, because the Lord is the willing Saviour and helper of all and is just as willing to help one group prepare as the other.
Those willing to learn divine truth have angels surrounding them who, when in great need, bring to mind truths that meet temptation. This help in remembering what answers temptation is a safeguard in Scripture study and Sabbath-school work.
Heavenly angels accompany and protect those who fear God, including the Christian physician whom they accompany into the sickroom. In dangerous operations Jesus is by the physician's side to counsel and strengthen him. Patients can believe heavenly angels are around them, watching to do them good and desiring their health in soul, body, and spirit.
When excellent care is taken of health without abusing the digestive organs, encamping angels cooperate with human efforts. Obtaining wisdom, truth, and right relation to God requires not abusing the digestive organs. The encamping angels want to bring people into a condition to accept very precious light and stay in right health so they can obtain all essential knowledge, work in cooperation with them, carry out the knowledge God wants them to have, and not spoil themselves by indulgence.
Angels surround those who fear God and draw near to those who compassionately help the erring, repentant, and fallen, supporting them by bringing to mind words that soothe and encourage. They are messengers of mercy cooperating with Christ and with human agents who seek and save the lost, encamping around those who fear and love God. This calls for care and respect toward God's little ones and for diligent efforts to seek and restore those who have strayed.
Ministering angels surround the believer who serves Christ faithfully and help in the spiritual conflict, so the believer can face the struggle with confidence and not be overcome. A faithful soldier can stand boldly and not be overcome. The verse assures those who fear God that His angels surround and deliver them as a promise of protection and care even in suffering and imprisonment.
Angels seemed to be all around a couple during prayer and spiritual blessing, strengthening them for further trials though deliverance from illness had not yet come. A journey to Battle Creek was made in trust that God would accompany the travelers and safely bring them home, with the sense that His angels were around them. Believers are to act in faith remembering that the Lord Jesus is by their side and His glory enfolds them as they serve others.
The encircling presence is revealed when men in responsibility do not act as rulers but are Christlike in deportment, putting all selfishness and greed out of their hearts and walking humbly with God, which is the reformation to be seen in them. Angels are present in the midst of the few who love Jesus and fear Him by keeping His commandments, including the Sabbath, and declaring the soon coming of Christ. Their presence gives strength and support against opposition and assurance that God is with His people, with practical deliverance when threatened with prison or mob violence for obedience, as God cares for them, turns officers to their assistance, and turns threatened punishment back on persecutors.