Daily Devotional September 20 - Have you ever had an encounter with an angel?

"And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.  but the angel said unto Him, fear not Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John." Luke 1:11-13

Have you ever had an encounter with an angel? Are you skeptical about the existence of angels? Do you believe that angels are real but they just don't appear anymore? Have you desired to be in the presence of an angel? Let's talk angels.

First of all angels are real. Angels are servants of God that go about doing whatever they are assigned to. Angels have access to both heaven and earth. Angels are invisible except when they aren't. Angels can come to you in a dream, when you are day dreaming, in a vision, or in person. But angels have a job to do and they are not going about trying to impress you or scare you. Angels do the work assigned them by God. Demons, which are fallen angels, do the work assigned to them by satan. Angels and demons have similar attributes, thus the spiritual battles that you hear about or have experienced first hand.

Of all the angels created 2/3's are holy angels and 1/3 are fallen angels. God did not separate the angels so that there would be an unfair advantage to the holy angels. The angels that fell from their first estate fell by their own will and followed satan on their own recognizance.

I know that there are a lot of ridiculous stories about angels and that makes it very difficult to cull out the ones that are true against those seeking attention, but it is made clear in the scripture that angels are real and they have very important tasks to do on behalf of believers. Angels are ministering spirits to believers.

As far as angel worship, that is out. We are the higher creation. We are never to bow to or worship an angel and any angel that might request such is not an angel, but a demon. We will judge angels. Angels are messengers and spiritual helpers working the will of God on your behalf. They shouldn't be worshipped nor should they be mocked or made fun of as if they don't exist. God is wise and doesn't assign angels to go and make appearances to those who are not going to be receptive. Nor do angels make themselves visible for their own glories sake. They are past that.

Unlike humans, angels finish their assigned tasks. We can, but quite often we don't, for whatever reason. God speaks to you and me, just as God speaks to angels, and we have free will, just like angels, but we don't always do the will of God. Unlike angels we were created in the image and likeness of God. Angels know their place. It is you and I that have difficulty in following Christ. Unlike angels, you and I are under grace. Our sins were paid for by the blood of Christ and we will be like Christ. Unlike angels you and I are a child of the living God and joint heirs with Christ.

Angels have a job to do and it is my hope to be about my Father's business enough that angels are directed to participate. How about you?