Then we disobeyed. Sin and shame and rebellion entered the world. It was all ruined, poisoned by our sin. God had to withdraw because His holiness cannot be near to sin (Habakkuk 1:13; Isaiah 59:2)
Now the question I have been pondering, is really two part. The first part, I wonder why did God not erase us all and start over? He could have! He was grieved later that He had made us (Genesis 6:6) and regretted it. It would have been so much easier for Him to do an etch-a-sketch and shake it all up and begin again. After all, it only would have taken a few days.
He didn't wipe us out. I can't get over that. Instead, in His love He chose a 6000 year travail that included more patience on His part that I can ever understand, more love, martyrdoms of His apostles, and His own Son's sacrifice in a grueling and horrific death!
The second thing I wonder is that even through all this, He still gives us as many gifts as He does. He gives us His son. He gives us salvation. He gives us the Holy Spirit. He gives us armor to resist satan, our enemy. He gives us the bible. And He gives us angels.
For He will give His angels charge concerning you, To guard you in all your ways. (Psalm 91:11)
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation? (Hebrews 1:14)
See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 18:10)
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it. (Hebrews 13:2)
There are entire web pages devoted to the ministry of angels, why God created them, and what they do for God in their ministrations to us. There are way more verses about angels than I posted here. Suffice to say that I am continually slain by the outpouring of love from our Father in His gifts to us. Angels! Imagine! To guide and protect us. Minister to us. Serve us. I think of their their faces turned toward God as in the verse in Matthew, like racehorses at the gate, itching to get going and minister to us in His name, waiting for Him to say "GO!"
When I go through a day when nothing uneventful occurs, I thank the angels and the Father who sent them. I drive an old car, I live in an old house, I dwell where tornadoes come, there are many things that could happen to me each day ... that don't. Don't take that nothing for granted. It might be interesting if He allows when we get there, to see a rewind of our life's movie to view the efforts to which our angels went in keeping us safe from harm.
The car accident you didn't have. The tears you didn't have to shed. The slip on the ice that didn't happen.
If you have an uneventful day think of the angels the Lord sends to us in service to our needs. Nothing happened? Thank the Lord's ordination of the angel's protection of you!
This post was first published on The End Time in March, 2011
