Written by: John Sernaque
Dear Readers,
Early on in my life I learned that there was a presence with me that was far greater than I. This presence was round about me, at times it was a voice, sometimes a small voice and other times it was like the sound of thunder. I remember back when I was about 8 years old, I visited a friend who lived in a 6-story apartment building. He lived on a block where all the buildings were attached side by side along the length of a city block. He suggested we go up on the roof as the playgrounds were always full, and up on the roof, we had ample space to ourselves to run around in (the roofs were flat). I agreed, so we ran up the stairs and out onto the roof. I was amazed at how far one can see from such a height. You could see all the homes, buildings, and people all the way out to the horizon. He ran ahead but I decided to take a longer look. I approached the parapet wall which was approximately four feet in height. Being of a small stature, I could not exactly see down to the street level. I saw some kids down below and I wanted to see what they were up to. To get a better view, I started to lift myself up to the top of the wall. My feet had just begun to come off the ground, but at that moment, I felt someone touch my shoulder. I heard a voice, get off this roof and go home. I jumped back on my feet and looked around. Surely it was my friend. However, I saw my friend way ahead on a different roof. I did not comprehend what had just happened, and did not till many years later. I did get off the roof, went home, and never returned to that roof again.
What happened to me that day was divine intervention. An angel was there to protect me from something terrible that could have happened if I had continued in my curiosity. I spoke with my mother about what had happened. She firmly believed in God and said that it was by the power of the Holy Ghost that my life was preserved. That if I had the fear of God, He would save me. What did all this mean? The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. Psalms 34:7. The bible says that the fear of the Lord is to hate evil. The fear of the LORD [is] to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. Proverbs 8:13
How many situations have I been in where there appeared to be no way out? Without any guidance from my earthly father, not knowing right from wrong. But God, our Heavenly Father, is always there. By His miracles, situations and circumstances would work out. How many sins have I committed against the Lord? By God’s grace, He forgives. God loves the sinner; He hates the sin. But we cannot willfully sin and presume on God’s grace. And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in [their] hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Matthew 4:6 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Matthew 4:7
So, in all ages, angels have been near to Christ’s faithful followers. The vast confederacy of evil is arrayed against all who would overcome; but Christ would have us look to the things which are not seen, to the armies of heaven encamped about all who love God, to deliver them. From what dangers, seen and unseen, we have been preserved through the interposition of the angels, we shall never know, until in the light of eternity we see the providences of God. Then we shall know that the whole family of heaven was interested in the family here below, and that messengers from the throne of God attended our steps from day to day. {DA 240.3}
Heavenly angels will preserve Christ’s faithful followers. We must stand firm on the solid foundation of God’s word. As a follower of Jesus Christ, there will be persecution. We must faithfully believe and trust in God so that we may be able to stand in these last days. For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? Revelation 6:17. Epaphras, who is [one] of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. Colossians 4:12.
As servants of Christ, we will be able to stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. Ministering spirits will be by our side as we travel along the strait path of salvation to God’s heavenly kingdom. And he answered, Fear not: for they that [be] with us [are] more than they that [be] with them. 2 Kings 6:16
