A Dramatic Delivery
And Peter came to himself, and said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod.”
Acts 12:11 RSV
The Scriptures are full of dramatic evidences of the protective care of angels in their earthly service to the people of God. Paul admonished Christians to put on all the armor of God that they may stand firmly in the face of evil (Ephesians 6:10–12). Our struggle is not against flesh and blood (physical powers alone), but against the spiritual (superhuman) forces of wickedness in heavenly spheres. Satan, the prince of the power of the air, promotes a “religion” but not true faith; he promotes false prophets. So the powers of light and darkness are locked in intense conflict. Thank God for the angelic forces that fight off the works of darkness. Angels never minister selfishly; they serve so that all glory may be given to God as believers are strengthened.
A classic example of the protective agency of angels is found in Acts 12:5–11. Peter lay bound in prison, awaiting execution. James, the brother of John, had already been killed, and there was little reason to suppose that Peter would escape the executioner’s ax either. The magistrates intended to put him to death as a favor to those who opposed the Gospel and the works of God. Surely the believers had prayed for James, but God had chosen to deliver him through death. Now the church was praying for Peter.
As Peter lay sleeping, an angel appeared, not deterred by such things as doors or iron bars. The angel came into the prison cell, shook Peter awake, and told him to prepare to escape. As a light shone on the prison, Peter’s chains fell off, and having dressed, he followed the angel out. Doors supernaturally opened because Peter could not pass through locked doors as the angel had. What a mighty deliverance God achieved through His angel!
Our Father and our God, I need Your angels to protect me from the powerful forces of evil in my world. Like Your angels, help me to minister unselfishly and to give You all the glory for the powerful works that You do. Thank You for defeating Satan, Father. And make of me a powerful witness of Your divinity and power. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Billy Graham, Unto the Hills: A Daily Devotional (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2010).