We are not alone!

These are trying times. A pandemic has changed the way we live, infecting millions of people and killing more than 500,000 people in the United States. A polar vortex swept through Texas causing untold suffering and damage. Many people are still without water, power, and limited access to food. It can seem like we are all alone. The universe is too big and we are too small. Where is the God of the Bible?

I encourage you to take heart from the Epistle to the Hebrews. Chapter 1 addresses the divine nature of Jesus Christ and proclaims His superiority to anything and everything in the universe. Yet, the writer takes time to declare that we are not alone in our suffering. There are supernatural beings sent by God to minister to those who trust in Him. They are called angels.

First, let me state that I believe God cares about you. He expresses His concern for those who trust Him throughout Scripture. Let me share a verse from Psalm 34:7, The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them; and Psalm 34:4, I sought the LORD and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. God knows our troubles and fears and He and promises deliverance.

In Hebrews, I want you to consider Hebrews 1:7, Of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire.” Thomas Constable declares, By describing the angels as winds the psalmist was drawing attention to their spirit nature, invisibility, power, and function as servants of a higher Power. Also, note Hebrews 1:14, Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation? This passage proclaims angels as those assigned by God to serve those who have placed faith in Christ alone.

Does that sound too good to be true? I believe God cares about us more than we can imagine. We are not alone despite great difficulties. We must trust God at His word and turn to Him despite the circumstances that can seemingly overwhelm us. Some might disbelieve but many have shared experiences of God’s angelic protection and deliverance. The following story of deliverance was shared by Pastor R. Kent Hughes,

On a dark night about a hundred years ago, a Scottish missionary couple found themselves surrounded by cannibals intent on taking their lives. That terror-filled night they fell to their knees and prayed that God would protect them. Intermittent with their prayers, the missionaries heard the cries of the savages and expected them to come through the door at any moment.

But as the sun began to rise, to their astonishment they found that the natives were retreating into the forest. The couple’s hearts soared to God. It was a day of rejoicing!

The missionaries bravely continued their work. A year later the chieftain of that tribe was converted. As the missionary spoke with him, he remembered the horror of that night. He asked the chieftain why he and his men had not killed them. The chief replied, “Who were all those men who were with you?” The missionary answered, “Why, there were no men with us. There were just my wife and myself.” The chieftain began to argue with him, saying, “There were hundreds of tall men in shining garments with drawn swords circling about your house, so we could not attack you.

Since God chose to send His Son to make payment for your sins by sacrificing His life for yours, don’t you think God would send His angels to protect you? Consider a wise statement from R. Kent Hughes, Our superior Christ has assigned his angels to minister to you. And if he wills, he can deliver you anytime and anywhere he wishes. Christ is superior to everything. He is adequate in your hour of need. You must believe it, and trust him with all you are and have.

I encourage you to join me in the study of the Epistle to the Hebrews. The study of Hebrews 1:4-14 may be found under the Books of the Bible tab. Allow God to open your eyes spiritually to see how much He cares for you and me. We are not alone!