God created guardian angels to watch over and protect us. Angels are spiritual beings created by God to serve Him and carry out His will. Though the Bible doesn’t use the term “guardian angel,” it supports the idea that angels help believers (Hebrews 1:14). Here are some key reasons why God has appointed angels to guard His people.
To Protect Us from Harm
One of the most common duties of guardian angels is to protect God’s people from harm or danger. There are several examples in the Bible where angels shielded people from potential threats:
- Angels shut the mouths of lions when Daniel was thrown into their den (Daniel 6:22)
- An angel closed the mouths of the lions when the early Christians were thrown into the Colosseum to be killed (1 Peter 5:8)
- Abraham’s servant prayed that God would send an angel to guide his travels and ensure his safety (Genesis 24:7)
- God sent an angel to protect Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the fiery furnace (Daniel 3:28)
God often uses His angels to defend believers from demonic powers, illnesses, accidents, war, natural disasters and more. They can assist us on physical, mental and spiritual levels when we face adversity.
To Guide Us in God’s Will
Angels also help reveal God’s plans to us and keep us on the right path. There are angels assigned to deliver revelation from God:
- The angel Gabriel delivered prophetic messages about the coming Messiah to Daniel, Zechariah and Mary (Daniel 9:21-27, Luke 1:11-38)
- Angels interpreted Daniel’s visions and gave him wisdom from God (Daniel 7:16, 8:15-17)
- An angel directed Philip to meet the Ethiopian eunuch and help lead him to Christ (Acts 8:26)
Guardian angels can also provide supernatural guidance and direction in less direct ways. They may speak through our conscience, dreams, intuitions or circumstances to lead us according to God’s will.
To Minister to Our Needs
Angels bring God’s comfort, encouragement and strength during difficult times. For example:
- An angel strengthened Jesus after He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane before His crucifixion (Luke 22:43)
- Angels released the apostles from prison and told them to continue preaching the gospel (Acts 5:19-20)
- Abraham’s servant prayed that God would send an angel to help him successfully find a wife for Isaac (Genesis 24:7).
Guardian angels are attentive to our needs and available to supply vital help, especially when we feel depleted in body, mind or spirit.
To Execute God’s Wrath
Though angels are loving protectors, they are also God’s agents of judgement. Their role is to carry out His will – whether in mercy or justice. The Bible records angels executing God’s wrath:
- An angel killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers besieging Jerusalem (2 Kings 19:35)
- Angels will pour out God’s bowls of wrath in the end times (Revelation 16:1)
- The reaper angel Harvesting souls for judgement (Revelation 14:14-19)
Guardian angels are equipped for spiritual warfare and ready to enforce God’s righteousness when He commands it.
To Praise and Glorify God
Angels were created to worship God and reflect His glory. Even as they serve humanity, their primary purpose is to exalt the Lord. Several examples:
- Angels sang praises when Jesus was born, saying “Glory to God in the highest heaven!” (Luke 2:14)
- Angels surround God’s throne continually praising Him (Revelation 5:11-12)
- The four living creatures near God’s throne “never stop saying: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty'” (Revelation 4:8)
Guardian angels magnify God’s name through their work on earth and in heaven. They invite us to join them in worship.
Conclusion
God appoints guardian angels because of His great love for us. Angels protect, guide, strengthen, and minister to God’s people. They execute His judgements, give Him glory, and further His kingdom purposes on earth. What an honor that the Creator would send His holy angels to watch over us. May we be thankful for these invisible guardians and tune our hearts to hear their whispers.