Watching Our Walk
But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to abuse and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated.
Hebrews 10:32–33 RSV
As God’s angels have watched the drama of this age unfolding, they have seen the Christian church established and expanded around the world. They miss nothing as they watch the movements of time. “His intent is that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 3:10 NIV). It has been pointed out that the word now actually covers the vast expanse of this church age. Angel hosts have witnessed the formation of the church of Christ Jesus, and have watched the walk of each believer as the Lord worked His grace, love, and power into each life. The angels were observing firsthand the building of the body of the true church in all places of His dominion this very hour.
But what are they thinking as we live in the world today? Do they observe us as we stand fast in the faith and walk in righteousness? Or may they be wondering at our lack of commitment? These two possibilities seem evident from Ephesians 3:10: “[The purpose is] that through the church the complicated, many-sided wisdom of God in all its infinite variety and innumerable aspects might now be made known to the angelic rulers and authorities [principalities and powers] in the heavenly sphere” (AB).
Our certainty that angels right now witness how we are walking through life should mightily influence the decisions we make. God is watching, and His angels are interested spectators too. The Amplified Bible expresses 1 Corinthians 4:9 this way: “God has made an exhibit of us . . . a show in the world’s amphitheater—with both men and angels [as spectators].” We know they are watching, but in the heat of the battle, I have thought how wonderful it would be if we could hear them cheering.
What kind of exhibit are you?
Our Father and our God, it gives me great confidence and joy to know that Your angels are cheering me along in my personal spiritual battle. Help me, Father, to feel their presence, to see their works, and to hear their cheers. Make my life a splendid exhibit of holiness and grace. Through Christ. Amen.
Billy Graham, Unto the Hills: A Daily Devotional (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2010).