Angels Amongst Us and Standing Guard
Growing up in a Christian home, I learned about angels from my parents and in Sunday School. Like so many of you, life experience has made the presence of angels feel even closer, and I find great comfort remembering this Psalm 91:11 passage:
For God will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.
Sometimes, it’s tempting to think angels were just for Bible times. Fortunately, Hebrews 13:8 reminds us God is the “same yesterday, today, and forever.” I take that to mean Psalm 91:11 did not apply only to ancient people. If God does not change, then His promises do not change. He still commands His angels to guard us in all our ways.
Billy Graham described angel encounters in his book Angels — God’s Secret Agents. One of the most remarkable stories is how angels protected John G. Paton and his family while they served as missionaries to the South Pacific nation of New Hebrides (now Vanuatu).
As background, the Patons went to New Hebrides in 1858 — just 19 years after two other missionaries had been killed and eaten by cannibals. John and his family endured tragic losses and unimaginable hardships. Amidst constant dangers, God used angels to protect the Patons, as we read from Billy Graham’s book.
When John Paton was a missionary in New Hebrides, hostile natives surrounded his mission headquarters one night, intent on burning the Paton Family out and killing them. John and his wife prayed all during the terror-filled night that God would deliver them. When daylight came, they were amazed to see the attackers [inexplicably] had left.
A year later, the chief of the tribe converted to Jesus Christ. Rev. Paton, remembering what had happened, asked the chief what had kept him and his men from burning down the house and killing them. The chief replied in surprise, “Who were all those men you had with you there?” The missionary answered, “There were no men there; just my wife and I.”
The chief argued that they had seen many men standing guard — hundreds of big men in shining garments with drawn swords in their hands. They seemed to circle the mission station, and they were afraid to attack. Only then did John Paton realize that God had sent His angels to protect them. The chief agreed there was no other explanation.
The Patons ministered in New Hebrides until around 1900. They saw the area convert to Christianity, missionaries established on 25 of the 30 islands, and the New Testament translated into the tribal language. Today, 90% follow Christianity.
Perhaps our modern world, in its spiritual impoverishment, is quick to decry the story of how angels protected the Paton family. But, one cannot ignore that in the span of 60 years, New Hebrides went from cannibalizing two missionaries to large acceptance and conversion to Christianity — truly a miracle indeed. If God can change hearts in such a way, then certainly He can send angels to safeguard a missionary family.
Almost 800 years prior to John Paton’s missionary work, Saint Bernard of Clairvaux wrote about angels. His words help provide explanation for what happened on the night that tribesmen surrounded the Paton home:
On Sunday, 29 September, many will honor angels and their vital role. The day is sometimes called Michaelmas, because Michael the Archangel is “chief prince” of angels and “protects” God’s people. Catholics now observe it as Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael (the Archangels). Anglicans, Lutherans, and Episcopalians commemorate Michael and All the Angels.
Whatever church you attend, and wherever the Lord has led you on your faith journey, how encouraging that God sent angels to Earth! Let us thank our Heavenly Father for His provision of angels who stand as sentinels ready to guard and to defend His beloved children.
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.
For God will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.
(Psalm 34:7, Psalm 91:11)
Hilary, this is so lovely. Thank you for the reminder of the presence of guardian angels everywhere in our lives.