Angels on Your Side

by Kenneth Copeland

Most of us heard about our guardian angel when we were just children. And, in those
days, it was a comforting thought. With monsters lurking behind the closet door and
creepy things crawling beneath the bed, it was good to know that someone was there
to protect us when the light was out.

But, as the years passed, we left behind our childhood fears. The imaginary creatures
that had once seemed so real disappeared from our minds. And sadly enough, for
most of us, the angels did too.

Now it's time to set the record straight. Angels are not just kid stuff. They're not little
fat babies with long blond hair and bows and arrows in their hands. The Bible does
not refer to these mighty beings as female. They are referred to as great and mighty
in strength and ability.

Forget those pictures you saw on most Sunday school walls! Angels are big and
strong. They are our protectors, and are warriors. They are very real and VERY
powerful. And, if you are a believer, they are a vital part of your life.
In fact, according to Hebrews 1:14, angels are "all ministering spirits, sent forth to
minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation."

Before you can really appreciate what that means to you, you need to realize that the
word "salvation" in that scripture does not refer simply to the eternal, go-to-heaven-
when-you-die, new-birth kind of salvation.

The Greek word translated salvation there is soteria. And if you'll look up the word
soteria, you'll find it "denotes deliverance, preservation of material, and temporal
deliverance." Real biblical salvation not only includes eternal protection, but also it
includes protection from all the material dangers of life right here on this earth.

Now, with that in mind, read Hebrews 1:14 again. "Are they [the angels] not all
ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?"

Just think about that. God has created vast numbers of gloriously powerful spiritual
beings for the express purpose of protecting us and delivering us from the evils of this
world - from everything from hurricanes to plane crashes, from gang violence to
diseases.

We see examples of what angels can do all through the Bible. When the children of
Israel were fleeing from Egypt with Pharaoh's army hot on their heels, the Bible tells
us that suddenly the wheels on the Egyptians' chariots just quit rolling!

Who do you think was the cause of that? Angels, of course!

And they haven't retired since then either. Angels are at work today just like they've
always been.

Several years ago in one of Israel's major wars, the enemy had their guns trained on
Israeli compounds. Those guns were the finest military equipment money could buy.
They had a range of at least 20 miles and were equipped with electronic gun sights
for accuracy.

But something very odd happened. Every time they fired those guns at the Israelis,
they missed their targets, in some cases, at almost point blank range. We know there
was nothing wrong with the guns because later the Israelis captured them and fired
them back at the enemy with perfect success.

What happened? Angels, that's what! In another instance, an Israeli patrol composed
of just a handful of men captured 600 motorized infantrymen and all of their tanks.

Why would any modern-day army surrender to such a small patrol? Because they said
they heard a massive army approaching. They thought they were outnumbered!

What did they actually hear? They heard angels.

My friend, these are not fairy tales. They're real-life examples of the involvement of
angels in the lives of God's people today. And, if you're a child of God, if you're an
heir of salvation, then you have a right to expect those angels to minister such
deliverance for you.

But if you want to make sure you'll receive their ministry when you need it, you'd
better start exercising your faith and getting your words and your actions in line with
God's Word.
Why? Because, according to Psalm 103:20, His Word is what sets the angels in
motion: "Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his
commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word."

When you're in trouble, don't speak about how awful things are. Speak the Word.
Give your angel something to respond to!

Say, "I am an heir of salvation. I am an heir of preservation and deliverance. The

angels are ministering spirits sent forth to minister that deliverance for me. And Mr.
Angel, in the Name of Jesus, that's exactly what I believe you will do."

Once you've spoken that word of faith, stand fast. Don't waver. Give the angels time
to work! They're real beings, and you've given them a real job to do.