Encampments

Psalm 35 promises us that the angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him. Many times in my haste to get to my agenda for the day, I have read quickly past this promise without appreciating just how significant this is. This is no small thing. There is an enemy out there that seeks our destruction. Without the protection of this angel, our enemy could very easily accomplish his goal. Today while reading in Acts, I saw a picture of just how robust and adequate this protection is.

In Acts 23:16, Paul's nephew overhears a plot about 40 men who have vowed not to eat or drink until they have killed Paul. First of all, let's take a moment and appreciate the fact that the Lord supplied a spy to overhear the plot. Our God is so good to us. Next, the boy reports what he's heard to Paul. Paul, a Roman citizen, is in the protective custody of the Roman legion at this time. The commander of this legion is forever grateful to Paul because Paul didn't have him killed for nearly flogging Paul. Then Paul, who now has the eternal gratitude of the centurions guarding him needs only to make them aware of the plot against him. Paul doesn't need to do anything else. From the moment his guardians are told of the plot, they go into immediate action to fully accommodate Paul's complete safety. They prepare a cordon of protection around him devoting 470 men to Paul's protection detail. 470 trained Roman soldiers to protect Paul against 40 rash citizens. This is the same protection we enjoy.

Acts 23:23 gives us the full picture. There are 200 regular soldiers, seventy horsemen and 200 spearmen. This detail of 470 men with spears and horses surrounding Paul is a real life example of the encampment of angels that surrounds us. Satan would plant a picture in our mind that we are on our own in our travails. Nothing could be farther from the truth. When we are in the perfect will of God and carrying out his orders, we have great protection that is exceedingly sufficient to handle any assault.

However, imagine Paul's plight if he weren't in that protective custody. If he wasn't in the midst of dispatching his God-given duties, he would have been alone in his defense. We would be wise to ponder this as well. As encouraging as it is to know about His great protection, it should be equally frightening to consider life without it. This should give us new-found appreciation for this encampment that surrounds us. Because we are children of the Most High, because dwell in the shadow of the Almighty, we have a protective guard around us that is at least ten times mightier than our would-be attackers. If we were to step away from this protection, we are outnumbered 40 to 1.

Ponder this image today. Try to see with your spiritual eyes how the angel of the Lord encamped around protects you. Consider the car that DOESN'T drift into your lane and cause a wreck. Think about the virus that doesn't find a vulnerable host site in your body. Think about and give thanks for this protection today. Be careful not to dwell on these dangers but take a moment to appreciate the diligent service of the angel that protects you today. Ponder this and give glory to God for His mercies that are new every morning.