Devotions

Rev Gav

Angel

Revelation 12.7–9

War broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. The dragon and his angels fought back, but they were defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. The great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world — he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

Reflect

Did you know today is Michaelmas, the feast of Michael and All Angels? To be honest, neither did I, not until I looked up today’s Bible readings which are all about angels, including this one from Revelation 12.

The word angel means ‘messenger’ and they are part of God’s creation — celestial beings who carry out God’s will. We don’t know what angels look like and and tradition depicts them as radiant beings with wings and swords but it is likely they have neither. In the New Testament, angels look like human beings, dressed in white, and they are associated with bringing messages from God. They also act on behalf of God, sometimes with power and protection.

So yes, angels exist, and I don’t doubt that people have had encounters with angels. If you do a Google search you can find the most amazing stories of people claiming to have had angelic visitations, and nearly all are positive or affirming in some way. I remember a good friend of mine telling me the story of when he found himself in a rather dodgy part of downtown Nairobi. A tall man came out of nowhere and hailed him a taxi. My friend turned to thank him but he had vanished. An angel? Perhaps.

For us, I think we need to have a healthy attitude towards angels, not praying to them or clutching talismans, but neither dismissing them as purely mythical. I wonder if, now people can be filled with the Holy Spirit and respond to the Spirit’s leading, that much of the work of angels is being done in and through us. The person who stops by the side of the road to help someone change a tire. The person who buys fish and chips for the homeless person sitting on the street corner. These are God-inspired encounters, and in a sense, we are all called to be angels. Saying this, I will never discount that sometimes God does send spiritual angels to guide and protect.

Today, as you begin your week, consider how you might be an angel to someone. Perhaps God is calling you to have ‘wings’ to fly to someone’s aid or to wield a ‘sword’ to provide someone with protection, or perhaps God will simply inspire you to bring someone a message of encouragement or comfort? Wherever you are or whoever you meet today, be fabulous.

Pray

Holy God
Today, help me
to be like an angel.
May I bring to others
messages of hope,
be swift to
offer encouragement,
and bold to act
with compassion.
This day and forever.