Standing Watch

Psalm 34:7 exudes encouragement and assurance. It is a promise. The preceding verse gives context to David’s statement. “This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles” (verse 6).

David reminds us that God’s mighty angels provide protection and deliverance. God has commissioned a guardian angel to watch over every one of His children, and that angel frequently saves us out of distress.

After being rescued from the lions’ den, Daniel was able to say, “My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me” (Daniel 6:22). An angel appeared in a dream to Joseph, the father of Jesus, and warned him to take Jesus and Mary to Egypt, where they would be safe from Herod, the wicked king who wanted Jesus dead (Matthew 2:13). Jesus Himself was comforted by an angel during His time of great anguish in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:43), and the appearance of a single angel caused those guarding Jesus’ tomb to become “like dead men” (Matthew 28:2–4). The help of mighty angels has been promised to every child of God. So it would be natural for someone to ask, “Where was that protection when I crashed my car?” “Where were the angels when my family member died?” “Why didn’t an angel stop that drunk driver?” There are no pithy answers to questions like that.

Tragedy happens. Difficulties arise. Even followers of God get sick or hurt in accidents. Rather than blaming God for inactive angels when trouble strikes, it would be more appropriate to thank God for the protection from injury and loss angels provide on a daily basis. Every day we safely navigate is another day in which angels provide protection and blessing. There is a spiritual battle raging.

Satan and the evil angels would destroy all of God’s children if they were not kept from doing so by “the angel of the Lord.” You can be encouraged today. Angels of heaven are watching over you.