If you are like most believers, your answer to the last two questions is, "almost never."
That is sad, because the Bible has a great deal to say about the ministry of angels. Understanding and appropriating the power of angelic protection is one of the most effective ways to live free from the paralysis and bondage of fear.
You may be thinking, "What do you mean by 'appropriating the power of angelic protection?' I thought angels were just God's messengers." That is a mistake a lot of believers make.
Look with me at Hebrews 1:13-14, and you will begin to see what I mean. "But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?"
In those verses, God's Word tells us that angels are ministering spirits. To whom did the author of Hebrews say angels minister? He said they minister to those who are heirs of salvation. That is you and me - and all those who are born again. We are heirs according to the promise made to Abraham (Rom. 8:17).
What types of things do angels minister to us?
They minister all of the things that come with salvation.
The Greek word translated salvation in the New Testament is soteria, which means "safety, protection, health, healing, deliverance, and soundness." Today, angels function to bring you the things that are part of your covenant of salvation. They are "covenant enforcers."
Where Have My Angels Been?
You may be wondering, "If I have all of these angels working for me, why am I still getting beaten up by life?" The answer is simple. The ministry of angels, just as everything else in the Christian life, is accessed by faith.
Healing is available to every believer; but do all believers walk in healing? Obviously, they do not. The only believers who walk in divine health are those who recognize that health is one of their covenant benefits and who appropriate it by faith.
Financial security is promised to every Christian, yet only those who stand on God's promises of provision see any results. The truth is that every spiritual benefit promised to the believer must be activated by faith to be manifested.
This is true for angelic ministry as well. The reason so few are enjoying the service of God's mighty angels is that few of us have seen that promise clearly enough in the Word to have faith in it.
We are going to take a brief tour of the scriptures in reference to angels. I believe, when we are finished, there will be no doubt in your mind that angels are present to help you.
Understanding angel power can deal a deathblow to the spirit of fear in your life.
We Are Surrounded by Protection
In 2 Kings 6, we find a remarkable instance of angelic protection. The king of Syria was tired of the prophet Elisha knowing about his battle plans and telling the king of Israel beforehand. Apparently, Elisha knew from the Lord what the king was planning to do even before his generals did!
As a result, the king sent his meanest troops to find and kill Elisha. One morning, Elisha and his servant Gehazi woke up to find themselves surrounded by Syrian troops. "And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?" (2 Kings 6:15).
Understandably, Gehazi was disturbed. As best he could tell, he and his master were about to die. But Elisha was not bothered one bit. In fact, his response did not make sense to Gehazi at all. And he answered, "Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them" (2 Kings 6:16).
In other words, Elisha was saying, "Relax, Gehazi, we have them outnumbered."
At this point, the servant probably thought the prophet had "lost his marbles." It was obvious to him that there were only two of them and hundreds of the bad guys.
Why did one of these two men respond with fear and the other with calm assurance? The difference was that Elisha understood his covenant with God through Abraham.
Understanding the strength of God's covenant, gives you peace, even in the most desperate circumstances. Being covenant-minded gives you spiritual eyes.
"And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha" (2 Kings 6:17).
Suddenly, Gehazi became aware of what Elisha had known all along: When you are in covenant with the Most High God, his angels surround you with protection twenty-four hours a day.
Like Elisha, you are surrounded by protecting angels right now. And, just as with the prophet, they are waiting for your words of confidence and faith - words that are consistent with your blood covenant with God through Jesus - so they can go into action.
Child of God, you need to have your eyes opened. You need to realize that, no matter how many enemies the devil sends against you, there are more of you than there are of them. You have them outnumbered.
How do you put your angels to work? You do this by doing what Elisha did: Declare your covenant, and speak out the promises of God.
Some people may say, "If I could see some angels, then I would believe."
Jesus said, "Blessed are those who have not seen but have believed anyway" (John 20:29).
If you want to see your angels, see them in your covenant with the eyes of faith. They are there because God says they are there. That ought to be enough for us.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers