Rooted In His WordSample

Among the many promises that God makes with reference to those that trust in Him is the promise of our verse for today – He gives His angels charge over us. That is, He commands His angels to take care of us. In Hebrews 1:14 it says, “All the angels are spirits who serve God and are sent to help those who will receive salvation.”

Angels are created spiritual beings that God assigns to continuously watch over those who trust in Him. Indeed, the continuous presence of the angels watching over us necessitates their setting up camp around us (Psalm 34:7).

The angels watch over us in order to keep us in all our ways. This passage reminds us of the angel that was sent by God to guard and guide the Israelites on their journey to the Promised Land (Exodus 23:20). For those who trust in God and go forth in life in His service there is an angelic security detail that guards us and guides us in all the ways that we go. The idea is not that we can expect an angelic guard no matter where we decide to go in life, but wherever we go in service to the Lord – just as the servant of Abraham was guarded and guided by an angel in his journey to find Isaac a wife (Genesis 24:7, 40).

The angels that encamp around those who fear God also deliver them from trouble (Psalm 34:7). They bear us up in their hands lest we dash our foot against a stone. This means that the angels deliver us from, and help us overcome, the many obstacles of life that loom up and threaten us with harm. Whatever may happen to the believer, whether it be easy or difficult, it cannot happen unless it has been determined to be for their good as determined by the Lord Himself (Romans 8:28). The angelic security detail is a guarantee of that fact.

Although many Christians believe they have the authority to command angels to do their bidding, there is no biblical warrant for that belief.

However, there is certainly no biblical objection to asking God to send His angels to do everything they can do for us.