Angels: Responding to the WOW factor! Fear or Excitement?

Throughout my journey, I always go back to getting to play an angel during an Easter production. I remember having to study, thanks to our director, in order to get into the part. It caused me to reflect on and consider how angels came into the picture through scripture. I also reflected on the people who were a part of the experiences too. Imagine a large creature (angel) shining and appearing to you showing up. They “fear not”, “do not be afraid”, or something like that, how do you or would you respond? The fact that they start with those words probably means our natural tendency would be fear.

Examples encounters with angels and how the wow factor can cause fear and excitement:

• Announcement to Zechariah:
  • Verse: Luke 1:13
  • Context: The angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah to announce the birth of John the Baptist.
  “But the angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.'”
• Annunciation to Mary:
  • Verse: Luke 1:30
  • Context: The same angel, Gabriel, appeared to Mary to announce the birth of Jesus.
  “And the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.'”
• Shepherds and the Birth of Jesus:
  • Verse: Luke 2:10
  • Context: Angels appeared to shepherds in the fields to announce the birth of Jesus.
  “And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.'”
• Resurrection Morning:
  • Verse: Matthew 28:5-6
  • Context: Angels at the empty tomb after Jesus’ resurrection.
  “But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.'”
• Cornelius and the Angel:
  • Verse: Acts 10:3-4
  • Context: An angel appeared to Cornelius, a devout man, and told him to send for Peter.
  “About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, ‘Cornelius.’ And he stared at him in terror and said, ‘What is it, Lord?’ And he said to him, ‘Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God.'”

In these instances, the angels bring messages of divine significance and assurance, comforting the recipients and dispelling their fears with the assurance of God’s presence and favor.

Other examples of encounters with angles and the wow factor:

• Jacob’s Dream at Bethel:
  • Verse: Genesis 28:12
  • Context: Jacob’s dream of a ladder reaching into heaven with angels ascending and descending.
  “And he dreamed, and behold, there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. And behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it!”
• Protection of Elisha:
  • Verse: 2 Kings 6:15-17
  • Context: Elisha’s servant sees the army surrounding them, and Elisha prays for his eyes to be opened.
  “When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, ‘Alas, my master! What shall we do?’ He said, ‘Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.'”
• Hebrews’ Hospitality:
  • Verse: Hebrews 13:2
  • Context: Encouraging hospitality, the verse suggests that some have entertained angels unknowingly.
  “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”
• Guidance of Philip:
  • Verse: Acts 8:26
  • Context: An angel directs Philip to go to the desert road where he encounters the Ethiopian eunuch.
  “Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’ This is a desert place.”

These examples illustrate that angelic involvement in human affairs is not always accompanied by a visible manifestation. Sometimes, angels work behind the scenes, influencing events, protecting individuals, and guiding them according to God’s plan.

The wow factor when angels come with a mission and people try to ignore or can’t see them initially:

• Balaam and the Talking Donkey:
  • Verse: Numbers 22:21-34
  • Context: Balaam is on his way to curse the Israelites, but God sends an angel to oppose him. The donkey sees the angel, but Balaam does not until his eyes are opened.
  “Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, with his drawn sword in his hand. And he bowed down and fell on his face.”
• The Angel and the Assyrian Army:
  • Verse: 2 Kings 19:35
  • Context: During the reign of King Hezekiah, the Assyrian army besieged Jerusalem. God sent an angel to intervene, resulting in the death of many Assyrian soldiers.
  “And that night the angel of the Lord went out and struck down 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians. And when people arose early in the morning, behold, these were all dead bodies.”
• The Angel and King David:
  • Verse: 1 Chronicles 21:15-16
  • Context: David sinned by taking a census, and God sent an angel to bring judgment. The angel was about to destroy Jerusalem when God intervened.
  “And God sent the angel to Jerusalem to destroy it, but as he was about to destroy it, the Lord saw, and he relented from the calamity. And he said to the angel who was working destruction, ‘It is enough; now stay your hand.'”

In these examples, angels were sent by God to either warn individuals or to intervene in situations that could have led to harm or disobedience. The story of Balaam’s donkey is a particularly vivid example of an angelic intervention to prevent a person from proceeding on a harmful path.

Today’s Verse of the Day:

Firstly, let’s be the dads who are choosing to live our lives in ways that we do the right thing even when we entertain angels without being aware. Secondly, let’s be the dads who are prepared for the day and live with expectations and anticipation of getting to experience an angelic visitation. Finally, let’s remember what the Bible tells us about angels.

How can we apply today’s verse of the day to help us live up to the calling God has put on our lives to be the dads and also to meet the needs of our wives and kids? What can we do with it to help us live up to the calling in a way that will glorify God?

Applications of Luke 2:13 that will help us live up to the calling God has put on our lives to be the dads and also to meet the needs of our wives and kids:

• Practice Praise and Worship:
  • Application: Regularly engage in praise and worship, acknowledging God’s greatness. Just as the heavenly host praised God, dads can set an atmosphere of worship in their homes.
• Create a Spiritually Nurturing Environment:
  • Application: Foster an environment where faith is central. Incorporate prayer, Bible reading, and discussions about God’s goodness into daily family life.
• Be Open to Divine Interventions:
  • Application: Stay open to the possibility of divine interventions in your life and family. Be receptive to God’s guidance and leading through various circumstances.
• Live with Expectation:
  • Application: Approach each day with a sense of expectation, anticipating God’s blessings and opportunities to serve Him in your role as a father.
• Encourage a Heart of Thanksgiving:
  • Application: Teach your family the importance of gratitude. Model a heart that is thankful for God’s blessings, mirroring the angels’ attitude of praise.
• Embrace God’s Presence:
  • Application: Recognize and embrace the presence of God in your home. Seek His guidance in decision-making and rely on His strength to fulfill your role as a dad.
• Lead by Example:
  • Application: Demonstrate qualities of faith, humility, and obedience. As the angels served as messengers of God, strive to be a messenger of God’s love, truth, and grace to your family.
• Prioritize Family Unity:
  • Application: Foster unity within your family, just as the heavenly host appeared together. Encourage open communication, forgiveness, and a strong sense of belonging.
• Share the Good News:
  • Application: Actively share the good news of Jesus Christ with your family. Just as the angels proclaimed the birth of Jesus, be intentional about sharing the gospel with your children.
• Pray for Angelic Protection:
• Application: Pray for God’s protection over your family. Just as angels intervened in various biblical situations, seek God’s angelic protection for your loved ones.

Be ready and prepare the family for encounters with angels:

By applying these principles, dads can create a home environment that reflects God’s love, fosters spiritual growth, and fulfills their calling to lead and nurture their families in a biblical manner.