Angels are for you!

Psalm 34:7: The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear (revere) Him, and delivers them'. 

The word 'angel' here is ‘malak’ in Hebrew, which means not just ‘messenger', but also 'to despatch as a deputy’. Imagine angels 'despatching' and bringing ‘goodies’ from the throne of God to you! And that's exactly what they do for you! These 'goodies' can be in the form of a healing, a revelation, comforting words, direction in life, or even finance and open doors in your career!

In Hebrews 1:14, the Word of God says 'are they (angels) not ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?' Who are those 'who will inherit salvation'? That's us, the believers of Christ, i.e. Christians, the heirs of salvation! Now, the verse says 'angels are sent forth to minister for the believers'. Notice the word 'for', not 'to'. In other words, angels are sent by God to minister for you! It doesn't say they 'minister to you'. It says they 'minister for you'. You know what it means? Angels (i.e. ministering spirits) are sent to serve you. Let's say you are in a restaurant, and the waiter comes along and wait on you for your order. You then turn your order in, and he goes and gets it for you!

I remember reading how the late brother Kenneth E. Hagin (a man of God whom I respect) prayed a prayer like this, "Satan, hands off my providence!". And then, he went on by saying, "Ministering spirits (angels), go and cause providence to come in!" You know what? Money somehow came in! It happened not just one time. It happened many times! Praise the Lord!

When my wife, Sharon was in her younger days, she used to have a sharp, nagging pain in the middle of her chest. One day, as she was resting in her bedroom, talking to God and being in His presence, suddenly a translucent figure (the size of a well-built person as tall as the height of her room, and dressed in a warrior outfit) walked through the wall of her room, knelt down and touched where the pain was, and then left. You know what? The pain was immediately gone, and she was completely healed since then! Hallelujah!

People of God, know that angels are on your side, fighting for you (those who inherit salvation). As you preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, angels are definitely at work too, bringing healing, restoration, comfort, or other 'goodies' to confirm your preaching of the good news!

As an heir of salvation, you can also be assured of angelic protection too (Psalm 91:11-12). Believe for it. Once, I experienced how in a split second, an 'invisible hand' moved my arm on the steering and caused my car to be swerved to safety while I was driving near a T-junction. It happened so fast, and only then I realized there was another car moving towards my side at a break-neck speed! I knew I've been delivered from a fatal car accident that could've taken my life! I believe this 'hand' was that of an angel's as well! Thanks be to God!

I used to wonder why the verse in Psalm 34:7 (about angels encamping around us) was written in the middle of nowhere in a Psalm that talks about 'the happiness of those who trust in God'. Then, the Lord asked me to read Psalm 34:7 in the 'right context', beginning from Psalm 34:4 till Psalm 34:10. This is how Psalm 34:7 should be read and understood in its 'right context':

"I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant, and their faces are never covered with shame. He called, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear (revere) Him, and delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; and blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Oh, fear (revere) the Lord, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear (revere) Him. The young lions lack and suffer hunger; but those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing ('goodies')" (Psalm 34:4-10). You may want to personalize these verses for yourself. As you seek Him (i.e. connect to Him) and look to Him, He is the One activating and releasing angels to encamp around you!

Thank God for angels being sent forth to bring every form of 'goodies' to you, and you'll never be in any want (or lacking any 'good thing'). Beloved, taste and see how good God is in your life! Believe for it. Amen!

Resting at your 'terebinth' tree

Genesis 18:1: Then the Lord appeared to Abraham by the terebinth trees of Mamre, as he was sitting in the tent door in the heat of the day.

The word 'terebinth tree' in Hebrew literally means 'a strong tree, like an oak tree; or strength', and the word 'Mamre' here means 'vigor'. This 'tree' is actually a 'picture' of the cross, where Jesus finished His work some 2,000 years ago. Galatians 3:13 says, 'cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree'. The Bible says Jesus has become a curse for us, so that we are set free (from the curse of sin), redeemed, and now receiving the blessings of Abraham (Galatians 3:13-14). The Bible also says Jesus who knew no sin has become sin for us, so that we are now made righteous (in right standing) through Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21).

As you lean & rest on this 'tree', you'll find perfect rest. Jesus has become your 'strength'. The psalmist wrote 'He is your strength, and your one sure foundation' (see Psalm 46)! In Him, you are now therefore 'invigorated', 'revitalized', and 'refreshed' again! Hallelujah!

Friends, what has been burdening you lately? Is it a concern for someone in your family, or your spouse, or your children? Or maybe it's a business/career concern or direction, or a financial burden. Or maybe your health. Cast all these burden to Jesus. He has carried them all on the cross (Isaiah 53:4-5). Or maybe you aren't exactly sure what's the next step in life. Cast these also to Jesus. He is the One who cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).

Someone asked me this question: "Have I done enough lately?" My answer was: "Even if you have been working 23 hours every day, you may still ask the same question!" Well, we are living in such a world now, where everything seems to be at an accelerating speed, and 'time' never seems to be enough! The next thing you know, a new week has 'come and gone' again, and that's while you are still catching up on your breath!

Beloved, there's only one place that's truly 'enough', and it's only found in Jesus. The Bible says 'His grace is enough (sufficient) for you' (2 Corinthians 12:9). If earthly things have recently left you 'dry' and 'unsatisfied', come to Jesus. Take a deep breath (in fact, another word for 'rest' in Hebrew means 'taking a deep breath'). He is where you find perfect 'rest & refresh'. Rest in Him. And imagine you are in the middle of a desert and you find an 'oasis' of drinking water! He is indeed your 'oasis'. So, come & drink freely from Him. Jesus also says, 'Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest' (Matthew 11:28), 'for My yoke is easy and My burden is light' (Matthew 11:30).

So, what exactly is your 'terebinth' tree?

A 'terebinth' tree is where you lay all your burden to Him, and in return, you receive His (which is light and easy). Genesis 18:4 says, 'let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the (terebinth) tree'. Jesus has indeed carried all your heavy yoke and burden on the cross. Therefore, yours is now light and easy. Not only that, at the 'tree', you'll also come to a place of 'washing of the water', being refreshed by the water of His Word and His Spirit.

It's also at this 'tree' that God appeared to Abraham and Sarah, and He spoke to them. There, they received the promise of a son. So, you can also say it's a place of 'meeting with God', and a place of 'promise'. And last but not least, it's also a place where they found comfort & assurance, when God said, 'is anything too hard for God?' (Genesis 18:14)