How many instances do we hear (well- read) about an angel appearing and humans being totally shocked? 

 

“After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.” 

Matthew 28:1-2 NIV

 

In yesterday's devotional we read about Paul (then Saul’s) encounter with an angel.

 

“As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.”

Acts 9:3 NIV

 

This got me thinking, how many times do we read in the scriptures about humanity being scared of angels?

 

1)  Zechariah was terrified

“Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was troubled and overwhelmed with fear.” 

Luke 1:11–12 NIV

 

2) Mary was greatly troubled

“The angel went to her and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.’
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.” 

Luke 1:26–30 NIV

 

3)The shepherds were terrified

“An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid…’” 

 Luke 2:9–10 NIV

 

4) The guards were shaken with fear

“There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and rolled back the stone…
The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.”

Matthew 28:2–4 NIV

 

5) The women were terrified

“While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them.
In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground…” 

Luke 24:4–5 NIV

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6) Daniel was terrified

“I, Daniel, was the only one who saw the vision; those who were with me did not see it, but a great trembling came upon them, and they fled and hid themselves.
…I heard the sound of his words, and I was trembling and in anguish.
…a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees.” 

 Daniel 10:7–10 NIV

 

7) Manoah and his wife were terrified

“Then the woman hurried to tell her husband, ‘A man of God came to me…’
…Manoah prayed to the Lord, ‘…we are doomed to die! We have seen God!’” 

Judges 13:6,16 NIV

 

8) Jacob was afraid and humbled

(Jacob wrestles with a divine/angelic figure and says afterward)
“I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.”

Genesis 32:24–30 NIV

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From the beginning of the bible (Genesis) to when Jesus came, which means these people have talked. The tea has been split on the fact that angels, even God’s voice is spoken to humanity. 

 

Yet we fear it?

 

Why?

 

We know God loves us, all of these examples are of both men and women who had no doubt of God's existence (or angels).

 

(Now watch me link this to yesterday's devotional) 

 

Knowledge of God is one thing but the EXPERIENCE of His presence is a whole other thing.

Yesterday I talked about just how important a relationship with God is and in essence not burying yourself in all the ‘legalism’ of knowledge.

 

Now don’t get me wrong I think if I saw an angel today I would be so confused too. 

 

I've been relatively open with my walk away from God and small parts of that but one part was dabbling in mind altering substances.

 

What I will say is, no one does them because they suck, they are fun and ‘open your mind’ but then super fun things like come-downs, self-hate and that pesky word that holds so much weight ‘addiction’ slips into the mix.

 

The reason for sharing this small part of my past with you is to let you know that when on  hallucinogens you do see movement where there isn’t any and even though God created this incredible tapestry we get to see in various seasons all over the world it distorts it. Grass and flowers start moving (and not swaying in the wind style of movement) and it really does replicate a bad 70’s style movie.

For me I feel like seeing an angel would be a similar experience, where In some ways I know that it’s Gabriel 

(if I ever see an angel I want an archangel-only the best for Gracie- ego is still something Jesus and I are working on okay guys) 

But KNOWING it’s Gabriel and SEEING Gabriel, well that's why even though the internet, movies even your ‘social’, Italian, Indian, Vietnamese and all other yummy cuisines offer you KNOWLEDGE of the country you still save the money, buy the 20 hour flight (shout out to all you kiwi and Aussie flyers were we have to go 8 hours just to get away from our countries) do the fad diet and fill the camera roll.

 

We come home and say things like ‘the photo, video, even the description we are giving doesn’t do it justice, Susan, Jessica, becky, you HAVE TO GO’

 

Because we know the EXPERIENCE is invaluable to the KNOWLEDGE. 

So I urge you to, go into your quiet time, whatever that looks like for you, and seek a Jesus ‘experience’ relationship.

 

Because it’s way more fun praying to Jesus than it is deep diving into ‘why was there a dessert storm in this dessert at that time (I’ve seen a very serious theologian get right into the nitty gritty of the Israeli weather in biblical times) 

 

The one very cool thing about having a relationship with Jesus and seeking Him is also, we will humble you, so the desire to be ‘the most knowledgeable’ gets stripped and your calling becomes clear, your heart softens and for the first time and despite the world's best efforts you become happy in your skin.

Because the realisation of how much He loves you overtakes all those ‘colours’ that surround you and you can see clearly and your purpose and hearts calling will become clear.

(Clearly mine was not to be a theologian- however I do love and am amazed by the knowledge and learnings they unbury, things I would never think to be relevant and of consequence, yet with such knowledge we are able to have a deeper understanding of the stories and they do become even more powerful)