Three times God has spared my life from certain death. 

The story I am about to tell you is the most dramatic of these, because God physically intervened in a way I cannot explain.

One evening, a friend and I were driving down a dimly lit two-lane road.  A ditch on one side of us, oncoming traffic on the other.

As we were chatting, we were stunned to see an oncoming vehicle suddenly move into our lane, heading straight for us at full speed. 

We had little time to react.

Frozen in fear and more panicked by the second, we were fully aware that if one of our cars didn’t move, a head-on collision was inevitable.

Just before hitting them head on, my friend swerved left into the oncoming lane, passing the vehicle, then moved us safely back onto our side of the road.

The other car then nonchalantly merged back to its proper place, as if nothing unusual had occurred. 

In shock, I turned to my friend.  “How did you know to do that?”

To which she replied, “I didn’t.  Something moved the wheel!”

To this day, I know this was nothing short of a life-saving miracle.  But how did such a miracle occur? 

I believe we were spared by the protective hand of one of God’s mighty angels.

Psalm 91:11-12 tells us that this is one of their grand purposes.

For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.  They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone. 

We see this also in Psalm 34:7 –  

For the angel of the LORD is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him. 

This is just one of the perks of being God’s beloved.

And this is where you will hear my resounding thank you Jesus, because there is no other way I could have survived that terrifying evening.

I’m about to teach you some amazing things about these heavenly beings.

But before I do, I want you to see an epic example of God’s angelic protection found in 2 Kings 6.  A dramatic event with fabulous imagery.  Picture this:  

It’s early morning. The prophet Elisha and his servant awake, to find themselves completely surrounded by enemy troops, chariots, and horses.  The servant panics, UNTIL. . . 

Elisha says:

“Don’t be afraid! For there are more on our side than on theirs!” Then Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes and let him see!” The Lord opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire.”

These were angels, sent by God to protect them in his mighty, miraculous way.

Years ago, I read a book on angels by the famous Billy Graham.  It’s full of real-life angel stories and interesting information.  I was inspired to pick it up again this week. 

Here are seven facts about angels from this book (you will find a link to this resource at the end of my post):

• Did you know that the Bible references angels nearly 300 times?  
• Angels are powerful.  In fact, it took only one angel to annihilate the firstborn of every Egyptian family in Moses’ time, and again just one to shut the lions’ mouths in Daniel’s den.
• Angels are spirits without bodies.  However, they can take on bodies when needed, and often when they do, they are especially beautiful.
• They have a deep and unending love for God, and they are driven to do his will.  Their goal is both the glory of God and the preservation of his followers.
• When we take our final breath, angels are present to escort us from our pilgrimage here on earth to our forever place in heaven.  No believer ever dies alone.
• And the Bible makes it clear that, for now, we are a little lower than the angels, but when we enter heaven, we will take our place above them as God’s chosen beloved.

Here’s the thing about angels that I find especially compelling. 

• Having never wrestled with sin or separation from God, they don’t know or understand the personal experience of conversion.  Therefore, one thing they are unable to do is share the Gospel with people.  That is a task designated for God’s people alone. 

This song, entitled, “Holy, Holy Is What the Angels Sing” beautifully illustrates this truth:

Holy, Holy is what the angels sing,
And I expect to help them make
    the courts of heaven ring.
And when I sing redemption’s story,
They will fold their wings,
For angels never felt the joy
   that our salvation brings.

Angels are one of God’s most beautiful creations, but WE are God’s redeemed!

So, my friend, do you believe in angels? And do you have a story of God’s protection for yourself or another?  If so, I would love to hear it!  You can share it with us in the comments below. 

Because when we share our stories, we build each other’s faith! 

(See below for some links that may be of interest to you)