Psalm 34:6This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. 8 O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
This passage of scripture teaches us of one of the most sublime truths of God's continual watchcare over His people, by sending holy angels to guard our every step, each and every day. Although some of us may not often reflect on it, we owe our present existence to God's mercies which are renewed every morning, and it's only because of His faithfulness why we are not consumed. The Bible teaches us that God does not slumber, and watches over us night and day, lest our frail lives be snuffed out prematurely by the enemy of all righteousness.
For instance, when Balaam was being bribed to curse the children of Israel, God had already sent His mighty angels on the ground to prevent the abandoned prophet from colluding with the king's request, and even though he tried on three different occasions, yet the angels of God held in check their deadly purposes, and instead of curses, Balaam was forced by God to pronounce only blessings, and prophecies pointing forward to the incarnation of Christ. The prophecy of the star that would appear at the birth of Jesus, to guide the shepherds to the place where He was to be born, was given by Balaam, albeit under heavy duress from the Angel of The Lord. Let's read:
Numbers 24:12And Balaam said unto Balak, Spake I not also to thy messengers which thou sentest unto me, saying, 13 If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the Lord, to do either good or bad of mine own mind?" 14 "Come therefore, and I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days. 15 And he took up his parable, and said".... 17"There shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.
However, the continued protection of God over His people is contingent upon their obedience to all of His revealed laws and statutes, for obedience on our part facilitates the working of the angels, and brings us into harmony and cooperation with the Divine agencies, a prerequisite that is critically important, as plainly stated in the same series of incidents, recorded of Balak and Balaam . As a matter of fact, The Lord pinpointed this singular element on the part of the human agent, as the sole reason why the curses of Balaam could not have weight, nor could they be uttered, for at this time, the Hebrews were found to be walking in harmony with the light they had received, and therefore an invisible shield of protection was continually around them, protecting them from foes, seen and unseen. Let's read:
Numbers 23:8And he took up his parable, and said".... 19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? 20 Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it. 21 He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the Lord his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them.
In our day, and in our own experiences, it is just as important for us to be living in harmony with God's revealed will, if we are to expect Him to protect us according to His will, from harm and danger everyday. Now it is true that the mercies of God are also over those who might not know Him, for were it not for this fact, every human being would have long been wiped off the face of the earth by our adversary. And it's because of His unmerited kindnesses to us, even when we were living in sin, that we were given many opportunities to come under the umbrella of Christ, in whom there is peace, safety and rest.
However, it's now very important that we do not presume on His grace anymore, by willfully living in direct violation of what we know to be right, for if this is done, we will be expecting His presence to be with us on our own terms, and the Bible teaches us that this is never the case. Let us therefore so live and do, as those who are conscious of God's protecting care, and it will be well if our voices are often lifted in prayer and praise, to God who protects us from the cradle to the grave.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture which encourages us to live as it were, under the shadow of The Almighty, and if we cooperate with Him in His good purposes towards us, we will not live in fear and uncertainty, as do many who are not found in Christ. Let's read:
Psalm 91:1that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. 3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler".... 4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust"... 5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; 6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. 7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. 9 Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation.
May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His word. "Good night" and God bless!