Read an Excerpt
Angels
A 90-Day Devotional about God's Messengers
By Christa Kinde ZONDERVAN
Copyright © 2015 Christa Kinde
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-0-310-74765-9
CHAPTER 1
DAY 1
Ye Who Sang
A Bible Lesson
Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? ... On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone — while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy? — Job 38:4–7
Neat stanzas. Majestic chords. Multiple verses. I've always loved riff ling through the pages of hymn books. During my childhood, I learned so many hymns by heart. Their history interests me. The rhyming lines intrigue me. Songs are practical poetry, and four-part harmony is bliss.
In a way, hymns are teaching songs. Their authors filled them with Scripture. Many lyrics are chock full of good Bible teaching. If you pay attention to the words as you sing them, you'll learn something that's both old and new.
Christmas hymns are by far the most familiar. These carols play nonstop during the holiday season, and most folks know them well enough to hum along. But are they really listening? Consider the lyrics of "Angels from the Realms of Glory."
Angels from the realms of glory
Wing your flight o'er all the earth;
Ye who sang creation's story
Now proclaim Messiah's birth.
The wording is a little old-fashioned, but that's no problem. I can sum it up for you. Angels from heaven appeared in the skies over Bethlehem, telling the good news. And this wasn't the first time. These angels first sang when God created everything. Then they sang for their creator's birth.
How do we know angels were in the audience at the time of creation? God made it clear when He quizzed Job: "Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? ... while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?" ( Job 38:4–7).
"Ye who sang creation's story" refers to in the beginning, when stars sang and angels shouted for joy.
Dig a Little Deeper
• Do you have a favorite Christmas song? What makes it special to you? Do a little research to find all the verses. Jot down your favorite phrases. Can you tie them to Bible verses?
• Angels sang at the creation of the world. What does Luke 15:10 tell us about angels?
• Learning from lyrics certainly isn't limited to hymns. What's your current favorite Christian song? Which lines really speak to your heart? Why do they ring true?
DAY 2
In the Lions' Den
Meeting an Angel
Daniel said to the king, "O king, live forever! My God sent his angel and shut the lions' mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O King, I have done no wrong before you." — Daniel 6:21–22 (NKJV)
Daniel rubbed an aching hip and leaned heavily against a rough stone wall. Under the circumstances, the guards had been quite respectful in how they lowered him, but the pit was deeper than their reach. His tumble into the lions' den would leave bruises.
The darkness smelled strongly of musk, dung, and death. What little light filtered into the death trap wasn't enough to show Daniel how many executioners lay in wait. A guard with pitying eyes lifted his torch higher, then tossed it down. The wood hit stone with a sharp clack and a scattering of sparks that reflected in several sets of eyes.
"Use it," called the guard. "It'll hold them off for a little while."
"You have my thanks," Daniel replied. "But I'll not put my faith in something so temporary."
Shuffling farther down the wall, he fumbled around for a place to sit before his legs gave out. Then he sank to his knees and lifted his hands. Time to pick up where he left off.
"What's the old man doing?"
In startled tones, another of the guards asked, "Is he praying?"
"But ... shouldn't we stop him? He's insulting the king."
A wry voice said, "Thank you for your concern."
Daniel could practically hear the soldiers snap to attention.
Then the king called down, "Are you there, old friend?"
"O king, live forever. I am here."
"May the God you continually serve rescue you!"
With a smile, Daniel answered, "My life is in his hands."
By the king's own command, the guards closed him in. Chains rattled. Stone scraped against stone. And then there was nothing but the faint crackle of the torch's guttering f lame. Slinking shadows. Deep rumbles. An echoing roar.
Was this to be his end? Covering his face, Daniel brought his fears and frustrations to God. Since his enemies couldn't discredit him, they'd redefined integrity, making Daniel's God-fearing way of life a crime. Even the king's regret couldn't save Daniel now. Daniel murmured, "My life is in your hands."
The old man prayed on, but eventually he realized that he could see light between his fingers. Slowly lowering his hands, he stared at the person who'd joined him in captivity.
Shining clothes. Calm gaze. Steady voice. "Fear not," the angel said. "You are innocent in the sight of God Most High."
Daniel managed a nod as his heaven-sent companion moved from one lion to the next, touching their muzzles and stroking their fur. Yawns replaced roars. Growls turned to sighs. And the uproar of Daniel's heart changed to peace. More confidently now, he repeated his prayer. "My life is in your hands."
Dig a Little Deeper
• Have you ever been blamed for something you didn't do? What about ridiculed for something you did? How did you deal with the sense of injustice?
• Could Daniel see the angel? How would the story change if he couldn't?
• What lessons can you learn from Daniel's example in this scenario?
DAY 3
"Fear Not"
Bible Lesson
An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. — Luke 2:9
The last five chapters of the book of Daniel speak about his visions, which are explained to him by the angel Gabriel. Quite the honor. Wouldn't you like to be in Daniel's sandals? Don't be so sure. This incident was not like his first angelic encounter.
As he came near the place where I was standing, I was terrified and fell prostrate. — Daniel 8:17
While he was speaking to me, I was in a deep sleep, with my face to the ground. — Daniel 8:18
I had no strength left, my face turned deathly pale and I was helpless. — Daniel 10:8
As I listened to him, I fell into a deep sleep, my face to the ground. — Daniel 10:9
I bowed with my face toward the ground and was speechless. — Daniel 10:15
I said ... "I am overcome with anguish because of the vision, my lord, and I feel very weak." — Daniel 10:16
My strength is gone and I can hardly breathe. — Daniel 10:17
No wonder "fear not" seems to be at the start of every angelic conversation. The presence of one angel was enough to turn Daniel's knees to jelly, steal the breath from his lungs, and send him toppling to the floor in a dead faint. Your first inclination might be, "What a wimp." But don't be hasty. Consider what this guy had already done. Daniel stood before kings, against liars, and for his beliefs. He had real courage, which leads to one certain conclusion.
Yep. Angels can be just that scary. There's no downplaying their awe-factor. No one can stand in the presence of God — except angels. And those who've met angels have met the floor. Usually at great speed.
Dig a Little Deeper
• Name some of the things that scare you. What's the difference between fear and awe?
• What gives you moments of awe? What tugs at your sense of wonder? How does your soul respond — tears, gratitude, creativity, worship, something else?
• Have you ever wanted to meet an angel? Does Daniel's experience give you second thoughts?
DAY 4
Q. Will Christians become angels in heaven?
Q&A
At the resurrection people ... will be like the angels in heaven. — Matthew 22:30
No. People don't sprout wings and put on a halo after they die. The Bible is clear that humans and angels are distinct from each other. So what's the difference? Let's cover a few basics.
What is an angel? Angels are supernatural beings who primarily exist as spirits (see Heb. 1:14). From various Bible passages, we catch a glimpse of who they are — powerful, intelligent, and capable of choice. They have emotions and individuality. They were created by God: "Praise him, all his angels ... for at his command they were created" (Ps. 148:2, 5). And they serve God: "You mighty ones who do his bidding" (Ps. 103:20).
When were angels created? From Job 38:4–7, we learn that angels watched God create the world. "Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? ... On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone — while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?" They were formed before humans, but we don't know for certain how long before us that God made them.
Where do angels live? Angels have their home in the heavens. We know Gabriel stands in God's presence (see Luke 1:19), and Jesus said, "angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven" (Matt. 18:10). They are often here on earth, and some are entrusted with watching over certain groups of people.
How are angels different than we are? One way in which we're different from angels is that they cannot be forgiven. "God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment" (2 Peter 2:4). Their fallen won't be saved, but Jesus made it possible for our sins to be cancelled. "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace" (Eph. 1:7).
How will we be like the angels? Believers will have a place in heaven. Like the angels, we'll stand before God's throne and be able to see Jesus face-to-face. Sin and sorrow will end. We'll worship the Lord with all that we are. Our faith will become sight. Forevermore.
Someday, Christians will join God and His angels in heaven, but we won't become angels.
Dig a Little Deeper
• What comes to mind when you hear the word angelic?
• Why do you suppose people are so curious about angels? What about them interests you?
• What are you looking forward to about heaven? Are there questions you're saving up for God?
DAY 5
First Come, First Served
A Bible Lesson
For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had. — John 5:4 (NKJV)
Did you ever wonder about the story of the angel who stirred the water? In Jesus' day, sick people camped out around the pool at Bethesda, vying for their chance at a miracle. According to eyewitness accounts, an angel sometimes visited the pool. Sure, he was invisible, but you knew he was there because the water reacted to his presence — swishing, swirling, bubbling up. And if you were lucky enough to reach the moving water first, you'd be healed.
On the one, hand, wow! What a show of divine power!
But on the other hand, ouch! All those people, and only one shot at a clean bill of health. I somehow doubt the prize always went to the neediest or most patient. Wouldn't people push and shove? Why would God ask people to claw past one another, wrestling for their chance at his healing touch? And it raises tough questions. If God could heal one, why not everyone? Why is one spared while others continue to suffer? Suddenly God seems kind of stingy.
But stingy isn't part of God's character, so what was going on here?
Let's turn it around and consider the situation from the angel's perspective. As a faithful servant, he waited in the midst of those gathered to see what God would do. He stood ready to bestow one precious miracle. Not because God is stingy. Far from it. Our Father in heaven didn't have to heal anyone.
When the time was exactly right, God gave the command, and the angel stirred the water. And he watched to see who was first to reach the water. Because that would be the signal he'd been waiting for. It's how he knew who God wanted him to heal. And so one desperate person's faith was rewarded. Because God is generous.
Dig a Little Deeper
• Do you know someone who's been miraculously healed? How was their life changed? How did it affect their faith?
• Do you know someone who didn't get the miracle they prayed for? What was the outcome of their story? How did their struggle touch those around them?
• Read 2 Corinthians 12:1–10. What was Paul's attitude toward his ongoing trouble? Do you deal with something challenging on a daily basis? How do you face it?
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Angels by Christa Kinde. Copyright © 2015 Christa Kinde. Excerpted by permission of ZONDERVAN.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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