October 3, Morning

C. H. Spurgeon · Modern retelling

"Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?" — Hebrews 1:14 · KJV

Angels are the unseen attendants of God's saints; they bear us up in their hands, lest we dash our foot against a stone. Loyalty to their Lord leads them to take a deep interest in the children of His love; they rejoice over the prodigal's return to his father's house below, and they welcome the believer's arrival at the King's palace above. In olden times the sons of God were favored with their visible appearance, and to this day, though unseen by us, heaven is still open, and the angels of God ascend and descend upon the Son of Man, to visit the heirs of salvation. Seraphim still fly with live coals from off the altar to touch the lips of men greatly beloved. If our eyes could be opened, we would see horses of fire and chariots of fire about the servants of the Lord; for we have come to an innumerable company of angels, all watchers and protectors of the royal seed. Spenser's line is no mere poetic fancy, when he sings of how often the angels cleave the fleeting skies on golden wings, like flying messengers, to aid us in our warfare against foul fiends. To what dignity are the chosen lifted, when the brilliant courtiers of heaven become their willing servants! Into what communion are we raised, since we have dealings with spotless celestials! How well defended we are, since all the twenty thousand chariots of God are armed for our deliverance! To whom do we owe all this? Let the Lord Jesus Christ be for ever dear to us, for through Him we are made to sit in heavenly places, far above principalities and powers. He it is whose camp is round about them that fear Him; He is the true Michael, whose foot is upon the dragon. All hail, Jesus, You Angel of Yahweh's presence — to You this family offers its morning vows.