When surrounded by troubles, what do you see? The Bible teaches that you can get through it. Can angels actually help you? “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to provide service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?”(Hebrewsv 1:14) Are angels still sent by God?
The next time you are deep in your troubles, please consider God. The first Christians, the first-century church, trusted Jesus - even when facing death.
When the apostle Peter was thrown into prison for speaking about Jesus, the disciples met to pray for him. What happened? “…Peter was sleeping between two (Roman) soldiers, bound with two chains, and guards … were watching over the prison… . An angel of the Lord suddenly stood near Peter, and…he struck Peter’s side, saying, “Get up quickly”…his chains fell off his hands. And the angel said…“Put on your belt and strap on your sandals”...“Wrap your cloak around you and follow me”…yet he did not know that…the angel was real…Now, when they had passed the first and second guard, they came to the iron gate …into the city, which opened for them by itself; and they went out and..the angel departed from him…Peter…said, “Now I know for sure that the Lord has sent forth His angel and rescued me”…And…went to the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark…a slave woman named Rhodah recognized Peter’s voice, because of her joy, she…ran in and announced that Peter was (at)…the gate.They said to her… “It is his angel.” (Acts 12:6-25 Please read the Bible account.)
When do you see God’s help? On another occasion, when the enemies of Israel came to destroy them,they were surrounded! But Elisha’s servant said…“This is hopeless! What are we to do?” And the prophet said,“Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are greater than those who are with them.” Elisha prayed… “Lord, please, open his eyes so that he may see.” And the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and… the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around… Elisha prayed…“Please strike these people with blindness.” So He struck them…” (see 2 Kings 6:8-23).
What do you see when surrounded by trouble? The Bible says “knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us… with you.Therefore we do not lose heart…while we look not at the things which are seen, for the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 414 16-18). By faith, see the unseen!
The Bible also says “cast all your anxiety on Him… the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion…resist him, firm in yout faith” (1 Peter 5:7-9). “The Lord is faithful…” (2 Thessalonians 3:3). Are you faithful to see Him working in your life?
Ken Murrell, Depew Church of Christ