December 20, 2023
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Susan and I were late for the wedding. And it wasn’t just any wedding. It was the wedding of Sarah and John Holt, the sister and soon-to-be brother-in-law of our soon-to-be son-in-law. Sarah’s brother, Jehan, was to marry our daughter, Lindsay, six weeks later. We didn’t know Jehan’s parents well. So this was an opportunity for us to get to know them better. And we were late!
We drove from Houston to Fort Worth. These were the days before mobile phone map apps so we had to rely on printed maps and written instructions. We got to the hotel and all of the goody bags with maps had been handed out. So the clerk told us how to get to the church. We were late and it was getting later!
We headed out and finally arrived at the church – but it was the wrong church! By this time, I was not my normal sweet self. I was agitated and Susan was doing her best to reign me in. We were late and it was getting later! Somehow, we got directions – this time to the right church.
We headed toward the church. We knew we were close, but we still couldn’t find it. We were totally lost.
We found ourselves in the middle of a residential neighborhood. We noticed a man standing on the side of the street. He appeared to be in his late 30’s, scruffy but clean. He looked like a hiker out of an REI catalog who’d been on the trail for a while. I told Susan, “Maybe he can help us.” I pulled up, rolled down the window and said, “We are absolutely lost. We’re looking for St. Stephen Presbyterian Church. Do you have any idea where it is?”
“I can help you,” he said. I got out of the car. He pulled a piece of paper out of his jacket, unfolded it and showed me a hand-drawn map. And in the middle of his map was the church!
“I can help you get there,” he said and I invited him to get in the car.
Susan looked at me like, “WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?!?!”
He guided us through the neighborhood. We finally pulled up to a stop sign. He pointed to the left and said, “There’s your church.”
We thanked him and, as he got out of the car, I turned to Susan and said, “That was an angel.”
We turned our heads around to look where he was standing and he was gone! He just vanished!
The Bible talks about angels: “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” Psalm 91:11 (NIV)
The Scriptures tell of angels acting as guides, helping travelers along the way. The angel we encountered found us when we were lost. He took us from where we were to where we needed to be. He helped us find the church and we arrived on time for the wedding ceremony.
I believe in angels. I have seen an angel. Susan has seen an angel. Perhaps you have too?
The Apostle Paul says, “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” Hebrews 13:2 (KJV)
Bible stories also tell about angels acting as messengers, announcing future events.
The angel Gabriel came to Mary and foretold the birth of Jesus:
“In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.’ Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.’” Luke 1:26-33 (NIV)
After Jesus was born, an angel of the Lord appeared to shepherds and announced His birth:
“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ’Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’” Luke 2:8-14 (NIV)
REMEMBER & BELIEVE
Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.
In the meantime, there are angels among us!
QUESTION
Have you ever encountered an angel and thought "NAAAAAAAH"! Well think again! Ask the Lord to help you remember. Perhaps you actually have!
PRAYER
Lord, please send Your angels to accompany us and to guide us, to surround us and protect us from all evil and all harm.
Our Father Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil and the evil one. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.
Amen
“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord ... Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’” Luke 2:10-11; 14 (NIV)
Merry Christmas!
God bless you!
Richard
Christ Worshipper | Disciple Maker | Hope Giver
Welcome to In the Meantime. I'm glad you're here! We are living in the time between Christ's ascension into heaven and His promised return to earth. In the Meantime is a collection of stories about God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and His presence, love, mercy and grace in my life. In the Meantime, Jesus is Lord! Hallelujah!
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