Genesis 45. 1-15 Hebrews 3. 1-6 John 7. 1-13
Genèse 45. 1-15 Hébreux 3. 1-6 Jean 7. 1-13
Years ago, I was a van driver for a Scottish landscaping firm. I drove, with ruffian workers, to a building site. When we arrived, they noticed nice building materials. I suspected they would steal this stuff. Later, when I checked the van, it was filled with stolen goods. I told them, “Take it out. I’m not driving away with it.” Amazingly, they complied, but angrily. “What’s it to you?” they said. I said, “The Bible says you must not steal.” They mocked me.
As we drove home, they muttered and cursed at me, and said, “We’re gonna put you in hospital!” I was a bit concerned about this. That evening, I read Psalm 34, where the Lord says his angel would defend me (v. 7) and they would not hurt me (v. 20).
A week or two later, they came for me when I was alone at the depot. Four-against-one, wielding planks, they moved quickly toward me: “You’re comin’ into the tool shed, you!” I ducked into the office, although I half-expected it would be empty. Instead, a man I didn’t know was at the reception counter—an ordinary looking Scottish working man—standing doing nothing. I stood beside him. I said, “No one here?” He smiled and nodded. I said, “They’re after me.” He smiled and nodded again. I stood with this silent man, while my would-be assailants paced up and down outside, looking in the window, but not coming in. This went on for some twenty minutes. The man stood serenely, as if waiting for no-one. I said, “Will I go and see what they want?” He smiled and shook his head, as if to say, “I wouldn’t do that.” After a while they drove away. I said, “I think I can go now.” He smiled. I said good-bye and left.
The word ‘angel’ means a messenger. And angels come in various forms. Some are mortals like ourselves, who help us out. Some are beings of fire. And some are immortal spirits, in human form, sent to serve those who will inherit salvation (Heb. 1.14; 13.2). As I’ve thought about it over the years, I think this man was one of those, who delivered me in deadly peril. O taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
David Mitchell
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