Guardian Angels

Recently I was reading a chapter on Angels in my Systematic Theology book when the author, Wayne Grudem, talked about guardian angels. He brought up whether or not we each have our own guardian angel. He mentioned that it’s more likely that we don’t each have a singular angel guarding us.

What do you think when you read that?

My guess is you have a visceral reaction, and become angry with how wrong he is. Or you simply feel sad at the thought that you might not have an angel protecting you; that you might be facing this life on your own.

Stay with me though.

Grudem isn’t saying we don’t all have a guardian angel. Instead, he believes we each have an army of angels protecting us. He uses the analogy of man coverage in football, compared to zone defense. The Angels (plural) watching over each of us are essentially playing more of a zone defense to ensure they are blanketing us in protection on all sides.

Now how does that make you feel?

Pretty darn good, right?

Grudem mentions Elisha’s story in 2 Kings chapter 6 as a prime example of this theory.

Starting in verse 8, we see the Arameans prepare to surround and attack Elisha to take out God’s prophet. In verse 15 we see Elisha’s servant awake to find that they are surrounded by the Aramean army.

The servant is understandably afraid. I mean, I don’t know about you, but I’d for sure be shaking in my sandals, knowing I’m facing certain death against overwhelming forces.

But in verse 16, good ol’ Elisha, who’s faith never seems to waver, prays that God will allow his servant to see into the unseen world. God grants Elisha’s request. He likes to do that pretty often. God’s good in that way.

In verse 17, the servant is able to peer into the unseen world and sees he and Elisha surrounded by a host of angels astride horses and fiery chariots. I don’t know about you, but that would change my whole perspective. I’d go from cowering in fear to feeling like I was 9 feet tall and invulnerable.

Can you imagine?

Looking out and seeing yourself surrounded by men on chariots, only to then be shown angels in numbers too great to fathom standing between you and those men?

If you weren’t a person of great faith, I’m pretty sure that would change your mind.

The argument could be made that Elisha only had a great host protecting him because he was such an incredible man of God, but God does not look at our works to determine how to protect us. He sends his angels to each of us, regardless of whether we are the greatest of holy men, or a brand new Christian.We all have access to the heavenly host, and they are around us at all times. All we have to do is call out to God and ask for help.

Next time you are facing what feels like an attack from all sides, take a step back. Pause. Pray. Thank God that He and his angels are with you. And then remind the devil and his army that, as Elisha said in verse 16, “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” As long as we don’t start to believe that we control the angels or that we can fight the battles ourselves, we’ve got an army beyond reckoning at our disposal. We need it. We are constantly attacked by an evil that never sleeps. But neither do those who protect us.

Armor up!

And remember….The Lord of Heaven’s Armies has your back, your front and every part of you in between.