FaithWalkDaily January 14, 2009 Psalms 3:5-6 I lay down and slept. I woke up in safety, for the LORD was watching over me. I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies who surround me on every side.
One might feel sorry for David. Look at all the enemies he faced in his kingdom. You'd be afraid to step out your front door. Sure glad I don't have that many enemies...
Or do I? Let's consider that. Are you aware that there is a constant flurry of spiritual activity going on around you at any given moment? Just because we don't see something doesn't mean it's not there. Take for instance gravity: can't see it, but it's real. Air: can't see it, but we you sure can't live without it. The moon: it may not be in the visible portion of your sky at the moment, but it's out there affecting tides and behavior. God: can't see Him but He's omnipresent; the evidence is everywhere.
Angels and demons surround us. Can you get your mind around that? Let's see what God's word says about it.
- Genesis 28:12 Jacob sees angels in a dream.
- Deuteronomy 42:43 Moses writes of all the angels of God.
- Nehemiah 9:6 Nehemiah writes of angels of God.
- Job 1 and 2 addresses angels and Satan meeting with God. All through the book Job mentions angels many times.
- David writes of angels in Psalms 29.
- Psalms 78:25 Asaph refers to the manna God provided the Israelites as the "food of angels."
- Psalms 78:49 refers to destroying angels.
- Ethan writes of angels in Psalms 89:5.
- Psalms 91:10 says angels will protect you.
- Psalms 103:20 says there are armies of angels who serve God and do His will.
- Isaiah 24:21 says God will punish the fallen angels in heaven and proud rulers of earth.
- Daniel speaks of a hundred million angels at the throne of God in Daniel 7:10.
- Matthew 4 tells of how Jesus Himself was tempted by the devil quoting Scripture, promising God's angels to protect Him. Jesus didn't take the bait and angels ministered to Him in that desolate place. Throughout the entire New Testament there are numerous references to angels and demons.
- Deuteronomy 32:17 tells of people who worshipped demons
- Psalms 106:37 tells of those who sacrificed their children to demons
One thing is clear in all the references to angels and demons - they exist in an unseen realm. If there are hundreds of millions of angels, and a third of them chose to follow Lucifer, there are millions, probably hundreds of millions of Satan's minions, fallen angels, as well. So where are they? What are they doing?
They're harassing those who love the Lord. Just as Job was harassed and tested, so are each of us. It's my belief that we are tested according to who we are and what God's plans are for us. I am tested physically by the constraints of a damaged body. My husband is tested by financial woes. Perhaps you're tested by lust or dishonesty or anger at those who have hurt you.
Whatever it is, God allows those wicked little losers to attach themselves to us for His purposes. They wage war, perhaps even bet on the outcome. The weak will fall away. Those who love the Lord will seek His strength to persevere.
Sleep in peace. Whatever we're going through, the LORD is watching over us. We will wake in safety, whether in our own beds or in the arms of Jesus. We need not fear the enemies surrounding us who seek to steal our souls.
Heavenly Father, what a blessed revelation, what a comfort to know, You are always watching over us. No matter what demons I face today, the LORD is my strength, my shield, and my deliverer. I will not be afraid, I will sleep in peace. We offer up all that we are, living sacrifices, willing to serve according to Your plans, knowing though we are besieged by the enemy, we are protected by Your heavenly angels. Guide us through each dark valley and rejoice with us on the mountaintops! In Jesus' name we pray, amen.
