The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Psalm 34:7-8

You will never have to convince Josh Dennis that angels are real. He learned that fact, first-hand. It all started when he got separated from the Boy

Scouts that were exploring Hidden Treasure Mine. When he got lost, people expected that he would be found in a matter of hours. But long hours soon turned into days. What rescuers had not counted on was the treachery of the drop-offs and the hidden pockets of darkness with floors of deep water.

Josh is from a Christian family. Only days before his ordeal, Josh and his mother had been talking and the lad had said, “If you have faith, you can do anything.” Disagreeing his mother said, “You can do almost anything. “No,” said Josh, “you can do anything.” In the darkness of the cave, Josh, then ten-years old, prayed, and prayed, and prayed. And then he heard a voice saying that he was not to worry, he would be found.

When search efforts had been unsuccessful, and authorities were on the brink of giving up, John Skinner, who five times had been denied the opportunity to help, was finally allowed to go into the abandoned mine. Within thirty minutes he had found Josh.

When Josh was discovered, men who had not shed a tear for years wept openly. But Josh took things in stride. “The angels comforted me,” he explained. “I knew I would be found.”

Scores of people today make light of supernatural beings described as angels, but those who have experienced their reality never take them lightly.

Almost 300 times, angels are mentioned in the Bible, and there is nothing whatsoever in this book to suggest that their work does not continue today. To the contrary, the writer of Hebrews, says they are supernatural beings sent forth to minister to those who are heirs of salvation (See Hebrews 1:14).

In our day, the world has rediscovered the power of Satan. In fact, groups which describe themselves as Satanist Churches, meet in every major city in the world and have dedicated themselves to the worship of this fallen prince, yet when Christians mention angels, some think they are extremists who visualize things which do not exist.

What does the Bible say about angels? Plenty. Try these facts for starters. Angels are spoken of as “ministering spirits” (Hebrews 1:14). They are created beings (Colossians 1:16). They are without number (Hebrews 12:22). They differ from humans in that they are not subject to the laws of matter (Acts 12:7). Apparently, there are different ranks or orders of angels (Colossians 1:16, Daniel 10:12-21), and they are far more intelligent than humans (2 Samuel 14:20).

Both the Old and New Testaments speak of angels as having great power. A single angel killed 185,000 Assyrians soldiers in a single night, something which seemingly is confirmed by archaeological discoveries. An angel rolled back the massive grave stone at the resurrection, and another angel delivered Peter from prison.

Because they are generally invisible, most people dismiss their presence, but I for one am convinced that angels intervene on behalf of God’s people far more than we have any idea. As the Psalmist put it long ago: “The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him” (Psalm 34:7,8).

Should we pray to angels or worship them? No, in both cases. They do God’s bidding, but a Father who cares for His children takes care of them and us, too. Of that, you can be very, very certain.

Resource reading: Psalm 34: 1-22