Tag: angel

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

A night with an angel and lions

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Jonathan Cooper on Unsplash

Some “through the bible” thoughts from Daniel 6.

First, a summary of the classic Sunday School story. Then, some unorthodox thoughts that come to mind.

When other officials fail to dig up any dirt to discredit Daniel, they decide they will use his faith against him (Daniel 6:5). They set him up, getting the king to establish an ordinance that no one can pray to anyone else but him for the next thirty days. The penalty? Offenders will be cast into the den of lions (6:7).

When Daniel deliberately disobeys and prays to God has he always did, the king has no choice but to throw him into the den of lions, wishing him the best: “May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!” (6:16).

The next morning, Daniel is safe and sound, explaining, “My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me” (6:22). It’s not that the lions weren’t hungry. Those who conspired against Daniel, along with their wives and children, were immediately torn apart when they were thrown to the lions (6:24).

Wouldn’t you like to spend the night with an angel? I would. Perhaps I need to consider what radical faithfulness would look like for me, so that I could have that opportunity.

In the same vein, wouldn’t it be great to spend the night with lions, especially knowing that they wouldn’t harm you? We used to line up early for feeding time at the Philadelphia zoo, eager to see the lions sink their teeth into some large slabs of beef. How great would it be to stroke their manes and hear them purr?

Daniel got to experience both of those things by simply giving God thanks on a regular basis. That simple spiritual habit was not only courageous and faithful, but resulted in a night he would never forget!

Posted in Life

The bronze angel

Posted on by William Douthwaite

It wasn’t white like all the other angel yard ornaments. It wasn’t mildewed or stained with iron from the sprinklers. This one was bronze.

Bronze angels are designed to inspire peace, love, remembrance, and spiritual connection. Bronze will last, as do the memories of those we love. Angels are messengers from God, reminders that there is more to life than what we can see and touch.

In this picture, the lamp post has seen better days. The garden cries out for attention. Tool handles patiently wait for a project to resume. The angel stands vigil, ever the same, day after day.

The scene preaches a sermon about the contrast between what will last and what is temporary. Everything, from homes to lawns will eventually deteriorate and disappear. It doesn’t make sense to invest too much in those things. Invest in what will last: treasure in heaven.

Posted in Advent devotions

Your prayer has been heard

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Matheus Ferrero on Unsplash

Zechariah was just doing his job. He burned incense in the temple, a symbol of prayers reaching God in heaven. It was an honor. A privilege. A duty.

In the cloud of smoke created by burning incense, an angel of the Lord appears and says to Zechariah, “Your prayer has been heard” (Luke 1:13).

Zechariah had been praying, too. He had been praying for his wife, for his family, and for his future. Both he and his wife Elizabeth were older and had no children. I imagine his prayer was simple. “Lord, could we just have a child?”

I’ll bet your prayer list is filled with petitions for friends, family, and those you hardly know. You got the prayer email, and now you come to the throne of God’s grace, confidently asking for his mercy for all these friends and strangers. Nice job. And of course, you slip in your own requests, too.

Zechariah, God has heard your prayers. God is going to answer your prayer. You are going to be a father! You and Elizabeth are going to have a son.

And not just any son. Their son would be John the Baptist. He was be part of God’s plan to bring a Savior to the world. His bold preaching would prepare the way for the Lord. Zechariah and Elizabeth were a part of God’s plan!

None of us ever know how we or our children will be a part of God’s plan. I read somewhere that a person’s path to the Lord was paved with many stones, that is, people who play a part in God reaching someone with his love and mercy. You never know which of those stones you are.

So just keep doing your job and saying your prayers. You never know when an angel or God himself will show up with an unexpected message or blessing.

Zechariah gets an ornament on the Jesse Tree, the father of the one whose voice would be heard in the desert, “Prepare the way of the Lord!”

Posted in angels

A front yard angel takes a knee

Posted on by William Douthwaite

The front yard angel keeps a silent, steady watch over the house. Day and night, rain or shine, through blistering heat and hurricane winds, this angel’s vigil never fails.

Though the dogs and I often walk by this house, I’ve never met the folks who live here. Do you think there’s a story behind this angel?

  • Scripture reminds us that the Lord “will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” Angels are rarely seen, so we may forget about their presence. A small statue can be a powerful reminder of angelic protection. This home doubles down with a security light and camera. You can’t be too careful.
  • It looks like there used to be a tree where this angel sits. Maybe that tree fell and narrowly missed the house. Something knocked out that boarded-up window in the background. Good luck? Coincidence? Or supernatural protection? Never forget the probability of that last one.
  • With eyes closed, head bowed, and hands folded, this angel takes a knee in prayer. The angels of the bible make announcements, fight battles, blow trumpets, and proclaim praises. I don’t remember any who prayed. But they do bow in worship.

I’ve seen many statues of Mary, St. Francis preaching to birds and squirrels, a few lions, and an Easter island guy. But I’m pretty sure this is the only angel I’ve seen in my neighborhood.

I’m glad this statue is here. It reminds me For me of angels in the bible. Like the ones going up and down in Jacob’s dream. Or the angels who saved Daniel by shutting the mouths of lions. Or the angels who proclaimed the birth of Christ to the shepherds. Or the angels sitting at the empty tomb who told the women, “He is not here; he has risen!”

Posted in Advent devotions

The Cast of Advent: December 22 – the angel who appeared to the shepherds

Posted on by William Douthwaite

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:8-12)

What a great assignment! As a messenger from the Lord and a ministering spirit to people, this angel got to make the announcement of all time. The savior has been born! The Christ has come! This is a unique moment in the history of the world and the salvation plans of God. Never before and never again would such news be the headline of the day.

Sometimes only a few people show up for church. I’ve done funerals for less than six people. Before we stopped gathering for New Years Eve worship, we only had about a dozen. I even showed up at church on Sunday morning as a hurricane was approaching and was the only one there. When you have the best news of all, the gospel, you always hope a few more people will be there to hear it.

This night, it was just some shepherds who found themselves in the presence of an angel bathed in the glory of the Lord. Angel usually show up and speak to individuals, like Mary and Joseph. It’s very personal. Yet, on this occasion, it was “good news of great joy for all the people.” It’s an announcement meant for a much wider audience.

Like you and I. Do you ever get tired of reading or hearing those words? Not me. And when I do, I sense the glory of the Lord surrounding me, too. That’s the power of God’s Word. It brings you into his presence, touches your heart, and makes you feel like he’s talking to just you.

Thank you, Lord, for such great news – for me and everyone else, too! Amen.

Posted in Advent devotions

The Cast of Advent: December 12 – the angel who came to Joseph

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

“An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”  (Matthew 1:20,21)

We aren’t told the name of this angel. It may have been Gabriel, messenger to Zechariah and Mary. Or it may have been another. Another who got the short straw. 

How would like to take this message to Joseph? It’s out there to say the least. Even though it goes against every nuance of the law, go ahead and marry Mary. Even though this isn’t your son, he will save his people from their sins. 

I can imagine Joseph waking up the next morning breathing heavy, covered in sweat, thankful that it was just a dream!  Or was it? Was this one of those dreams where God is actually communicating with you? Or your worst nightmare?

The other angel got to announce an answered prayer to Zechariah and God’s favor to Mary. This angel comes to Joseph looking for a favor. “Can you just go ahead and marry her? She’s going to need a husband and he’s going to need a dad.” And that’s exactly what Joseph does. 

I wonder if the angel was relieved that Joseph responded in this way? Imagine if you had to go back to God and report, “He won’t do it.” 

Thanks, Lord, for Joseph’s positive response to an unusual dream and an angel’s words. Amen.