This is a phrase that we hear when a parent is wanting good behavior from a child. It suggests that their actions will be good and right. However, today is Christmas and I want us to think about how we can emulate the angels from Heaven. We know that we will not become angels because the bible tells us we are created in the image of God. We are better than the angels for that reason. We should also celebrate more than the angels because we have been redeemed, something the angels cannot experience. Yet, we find them doing the things we should be doing.
First, angels are messengers. Often in scripture, we find them bringing a message from God to His people. In the first chapter of Zechariah, an angel visits him and tells him the message from God to tell the people. In Luke chapter 1 the angel announced to Zacharias that he and his wife Elisabeth would have a son. They were old and had given up hope of ever being parents. They would have John the Baptist, the one who would preach about the coming ministry of Jesus. An angel announced to Mary in Luke chapter 1:30-31 that she would have the Messiah, and in Matthew 1:20 an angel visited Joseph and made the announcement to him that He Mary was carrying the Messiah. Joseph would be Jesus’ earthly father. All throughout scripture, we find angels bringing messages to people from God. We too are commissioned to bring the good news of salvation to a lost world. We are God’s messengers today.
Zechariah 1:14 “So the angel that communed with me said unto me, Cry thou, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy.”
Luke 1:13 “But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.”
Luke 1:30-31 “And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God.
And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.”
Matthew 1:20 “But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.”
Second, angels are protectors of God’s people. One of my favorite chapters in the Bible is Psalms 91. In verse 11, God gives His angels charge over thee. We can rest assured that all those who live a life that is in obedience to Him will be under His protection. Nothing will happen to us that doesn’t pass by Him first. He is in total control and His angels are watching out for us.
Psalm 91:11 “For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.”
In Exodus 23:20-22, God is demonstrating how His angels protect His people. He promised the Israelites an angel would guide them, but there were conditions to receive protection. In verse 21 God says to beware of him, obey him, and do not provoke him. God’s protection was conditional. The promise is true today “if” we will obey.
Exodus 23:20-22 “Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared. Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for my name is in him. But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries.”
Third, the angels worship God continually. Their entire purpose is to glorify Him. In Isaiah 6:3, I can almost hear them as they praise God with jubilant singing “Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts.” Their fervency and zeal to express their praise are evident in their words. They are exuberant in proclaiming the attributes of Him. We too should be fervent and exuberant in our praise to God. Nothing should rival our desire to tell everyone everywhere how great He is.
Isaiah 6:3 “And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.”
Fourth, angels minister for God. When Jesus had finished His fasting for forty days in the wilderness, immediately Satan begin to tempt Him. After resisting the temptation, the angels came to minister to Jesus. They met his needs. In I Kings 19:5, we see another angel ministering to Elijah after God had used him to slay the prophets of Baal. Elijah is running for his life and sits down under a juniper tree and wants to die. God sent an angel to feed him and strengthen him. We too should minister to those who are in need. It may be physical, spiritual, or emotional needs. God will equip us if we are willing to minister for Him.
Matthew 4:11 “Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.”
I Kings 19:5 “And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat.”
Today is Christmas day. It would be a great time to “be an angel.” We can do this by being God’s messenger. We can give protection by praying for God’s protection on those who are in danger and pointing them to the one who is in control. We should always have a mindset of praise to God. To allow His love to fill our hearts to overflow, and today seek to minister to someone who needs help. Their need may be as simple as showing Christ’s love with a kind word or by giving a token of love to them. Whatever opportunity God allows you to have today to be His ambassador take advantage of it. Keep your eyes open and see where God is working and join Him.
