Fearlessly Courageous
From the Desk of Dennis Piller
7 5 2023
The Lord shared this word during worship on Sunday.
“Your footprint is so much bigger than what you see. See through my eyes… prepare yourself daily to be ready – yes, in season and out. I have sent you to them – do not worry what you will say. I will give you the words. I will give you the courage. Be obedient to my calling. If you receive even a hint, to share… it’s me, pray with them, and encourage them, Lift them up in my name. Let them see me in what you say, and do. My promises are yes and amen for your today’s. Do not miss my blessings as you give because I give even more bountifully to you. Do not be silenced or intimidated for I have sent my angel to bolster you and give you wisdom.
My spirit has overcome the world”.
The wilderness tests of the temptation account of Jesus, (MATT 4:1) are not a one-time ordeal to get through, but they were tests of preparation for the choices Jesus made in his earthly ministry. I read that this was not a courtroom scene of his being tempted with a piece of pie but this assault bore the intensity of a cosmic courtroom, and Jesus is being interrogated by the lowest, sneakiest, deceitful, and most clever attorney in history, and Jesus, even in his weakened condition, would have not of it!. He did not take the path of least resistance. He showed each of us whatever the temptation, whatever the trial, disease, or calamity…He has faced it. He is enough for us to lean on, and He WILL send his angels to minister to you in your pain and strengthen you through the trial or test.
We will all be prepared through our testings too for the work he has called us to whether we are walking in that space mentally or not. I believe we will continue our days in and out of the wilderness until we learn what purpose He has in preparing us. Almost like groundhog day. We must trust God…empowered by the One who is “Emmanuel, God with us” (Matt 1:23). There will be seasons when even in our darkest hours, God will protect us by the Holy Spirit or by sending His angels at His request. If you are indeed His, He cannot forget you…there is no way that he will leave you without His love and encouragement regardless of the means he may use.
Hebrews 13:2 says “Continue in brotherly love. “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it”. Have you ever felt that sensation? I have when I was sending cash at a Western Union decades ago and a man stopped me for money. I said I was too busy now as I was rushing. I finished my transaction and as I drove away I had this sense, I had just missed an Angel. I turned around immediately and searched for him on every side street and corner and found nothing. Where could he have gone…He seemed homeless…He couldn’t have gone far. To this day I believe I entertained an angel and failed the test.
Jesus said in Matt 13: 41 “The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth”.
Cody Sandahl said in his scripture guide on Matt 4 that “even the devil’s final temptation is based on a lie. This is one point where commentators across the ages agree: the kingdoms of the world are not in the devil’s sole hands, and the promise to give them to Jesus was a lie [ESVSB]. Just as the tempter lied to Adam and Eve in the garden, just as the tempter lied to Jesus in the wilderness, so the voice of temptation lies to us today”.
I do believe that angels are assigned to protect us, but we have an even greater assurance from God: if we are His children through faith in Christ, He works all things together for good (Romans 8:28-30), and Jesus Christ will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5-6). If we have an omniscient, omnipotent, all-loving God with us, does it really matter whether or not there is a finite angel protecting us?
He says there are and that’s good enough for me.
Let me close today with this thought. ANGELS ARE WORSHIPPERS. In Revelation, Angels join the saints – you and me around the throne. They were created before the creation of time by God. Immortal, innumerable… Rev 5:11 “Then I looked, and I heard the voices of many angels and living creatures and elders encircling the throne, and their number was myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands”. Around the throne worshipping god, Isaiah saw “God high and lifted up. He lives forever. His name is holy. He says, “I live in a high and holy place, but I also live with people who are humble. (Is 57:15)
The highest Choirs of Angels who dwell closest to the Throne of God are the Seraphim, the Cherubim, and the Thrones, reflecting the glory of God. The Thrones are a class of celestial angels beings mentioned by Paul in Colossians 1:16 & Daniel 7:9 These angels are always in the presence of God and are the angels of pure humility, peace, and submission. A beehive of worshipping angels around Jesus. Is 6:2 & Hebrews 12:22 Singing Holy, Holy Holy… It will be loud. God is Holy alone…Jesus!
Angels should prompt us to worship even more. We…not Angels…
can experience salvation. We were lost but now are found.
Amazing Grace. How amazing it must be to see the face of God, and live with him, in worship, since the beginning of time. We all will have that one day soon if we keep Him as Lord of All in our lives. In our pursuits, dreams, and visions. He alone, the King of all Glory loves us, each as a favorite child that makes Him smile at the joy we bring him. Live for Him because Love always wins.
