|
Listen to this devotional: |
Listen while you read: "O Zion Haste"1 (Lyrics) |
Hebrews 1:14 – The angels are only spirit-messengers sent out to help and care for those who are to receive his salvation. (TLB)
Years ago, I returned to England for my father's funeral while my husband stayed in Canada to look after our young children. I entered the funeral service holding my mother's arm, but as we came out, she was suddenly surrounded by friends and neighbours, and we became separated. I looked around for my brothers, but their wives were ministering to them. Suddenly, I realized how alone I was, and I missed my husband.
I stepped toward the bank of flowers, my back to the other mourners, with the vague intention of reading the cards, but I was blinded by tears. A huge tidal wave of sadness rushed over me, and I began to shake. Panic began to engulf me: I could not break down here. Just at that moment, a man appeared beside me and held out his hand. A middle-aged businessman, nondescript, slightly balding, wearing glasses and a raincoat. I didn't recognize him, but I held on to his hand for dear life as I tried to collect myself. I couldn't breathe; I couldn't let go. I may have broken a few bones in his hand, I squeezed so hard. Neither of us spoke. We made no eye contact. He just stayed strong and steady as a rock for as long as it took me to pull myself together and take a deep breath. And then, he simply disappeared.
Later, I asked my family who that man was. No one else remembered seeing him. Someone suggested that he might be a representative from my father's work, although dad had already retired. My mother didn't recall anyone from the company being present.
Forty years later, I was driving down the highway here in Canada when the door latch broke on my car. I pulled over and stepped out, hoping someone would stop to help. Then, realizing how dangerous that could be, I called out loud, "Lord, send an angel!" Immediately, two cars pulled in. The drivers walked toward me. I began to explain my predicament: I couldn't drive safely while trying to hold the door in place.
One man was dark and unsmiling. He mumbled, and I was immediately wary as he proceeded around the car opening each door. I didn't dare take my eyes off him and followed him, pushing my purse out of sight, explaining that it was just the driver's door that needed attention. Meanwhile, the other driver produced a roll of duct tape and was busy taping the door shut. Job complete, he turned with a smile and gave me a cheerful thumbs-up.
I knew him! Perhaps he wasn't the same man from my dad's funeral, but he was the same type: a little overweight, balding, glasses. I glanced back. Thankfully, the dark man was shambling off towards his own car. I turned again. And my angel — and his vehicle — had simply disappeared.
Angels are real, although they may not look exactly as we might expect. At the same time, we often consider other human beings to be "angels" because of their godly actions. Who can we bless today by being a godly person, doing God's will — and acting like an angel?
Prayer: Father, Your angels are everywhere, doing Your work. They are Your servants, as are we. You promise to provide and protect, and You do that in any number of ways — and take our breath away when You do. We can trust You. Thank You, Father, for looking after us. Amen.
Forward this devotional Share on Facebook Send your feedback to the author Leave a comment
daughter: "Update May 19, 2025: Please keep praying for our daughter. She has another health concern which we..." 
Although PresbyCan doesn't have a mobile app, you can still have a PresbyCan icon on your mobile phone home screen. 
Great message JJ.
What a blessed story!!
I find this difficult to buy.
Thank you JJ for this encouraging devotional. Yes, angels are real. Blessings.
Good morning JJ,
Thank you.
Beautiful!! Thank you for sharing.
May GOD always Bless you and enjoy your day!
Amen JJ. I, too, have never doubted their presence and am so thankful for them.
Blessings.
Dear JJOlenenshaw,
Thank you for writing. Angel or “angel, God can make it happen.”
Dear JJ:
Thank you for your wonderful, wonderful story. May God always have his angels surround you.
God bless you.
JJ,
What a great testimony, thanks for sharing. It reminds me of the story “footprints in the sand”.
Thanks again,
(TX USA)
Thank you for bringing this message of wonder, comfort and inspiration. A friend of mine believes strongly in angels. Her mother has just received devastating health news. I forwarded her your devotional. Keep writing and may God Bless you.
I applaud you for sharing this devotional. My whole life has been influenced by my belief that I have been guarded by an angel.
I applaud you because not everyone is prepared to acknowledge the truth of how angels are sent to us to fulfil God’s will.
Thank you for sharing.
Your encounter reminded me of how my hubby and his friend were helped when they were hit on the highway by a van that did not stop before pulling out onto the highway.
The car was demolished but they both survived.
Out of nowhere two young men were there stopping the bleeding and comforting till the RCMP arrived. The young men were gone as quickly as they came.
The RCMP couldn’t believe that they survived in this horrid event.
No one can tell us that God does not have His angels where they are needed.
Although I did appreciate your story of an angel appearing to help you at your Father’s funeral, it upset me that you felt moved to write that “a dark man” who stopped to help you with the car and ‘the dark man’ did not help but made you nervous. you might easily have not mentioned his colouring. What you write seemed to me to suggest we must be really guarded about ‘dark’ people .. ‘dark people already suffer great discrimination by others. As Christians we need not separate people in terms of their colour. I appreciate that you may have meant dark as in gloomy or negative but it is not at all clear as you write it.
I do thank you for being willing to work at preparing devotionals for us to share.
Dear JJ,
when I was a teenager, my friend saw an angel. Proper job. It told her what to do in life. The change in her was instantaneous and obvious for any that knew her. She became a doctor and then a vicar. Amazing what people can do when they are called to follow.
I once remember talking to a “girl” when taking a young man to show him street evangelism in Brighton. We stopped to talk to her together. This girl was unusual in that as I talked to her it was almost as if someone plugged me into the mains electricity at low power. Later I realized that God had been in that discussion, not that I remember what was said nearly 36 years later.
Blessings.
YES, I BELIEVE GOD is looking after us with his ANGELS!
I’ve had a variety of angels in my life, and one is my husband! He is so good to me, helping me EXACTLY WHEN I NEED HELP!
(ON)
I agree with you.
Good Morning:
What a beautiful and touching message revealing God’s majesty and His loving concern for us in our time of need and often desperation.
I have writing paper and on the bottom of each page the words, “I believe there are ANGELS living on this earth dressed to look like people” are written. Over the years I have had the joy of speaking to many who have been blessed with the touch of the Master’s hand and deeply felt His presence in the form of person, when they felt wilted and thought they could go on no longer without someone to sustain and uphold them.
Thank you for assuring us “There are ANGELS living on this earth dressed to look like people.
Blessings.