...Who makes His angels spirits,
His ministers a flame of fire.

  - Psalm 104.4

Hearken, all you lovers of God, to the holy merits
of a man blessed in Christ, the bishop Patrick:
how through his good deeds he is like the angels,
and on account of his perfect life is made equal to the apostles.

  - Sechnall, Audite Omnes Amantes, Irish, 5th century

Reading Patrick’s Confession and Sechnall’s poem about Patrick’s life and ministry together, provides a serviceable picture of activities on the ground at the beginning of the Celtic Revival (ca. 430-800 AD). Both are consistent in reporting the deep spirituality of Patrick, and that his ministry included evangelizing the lost, discipling the saints, and doing good wherever he could.

Let’s not pass by too quickly Sechnall’s phrase, “good deeds...like the angels.” Patrick did many good deeds, and that made him like the angels, in Sechnall’s view. I rather suspect that most of us don’t often ponder the good deeds of the angels. But Scripture teaches clearly that they are God’s messengers, who minister to His people quickly and effectively, as a flaming fire. In what ways?

The Scriptures would have us understand that angels are deployed to help us in various ways (cf. Pss. 35.1-6; 91.11, 12). Jesus took for granted that angels are assigned to the people of God, to guard and keep them (Matt. 18.10). Angels helped Jesus, no doubt physically and materially, as He emerged from being tempted by the devil (Matt. 4.11). An angel walked Peter out of his prison cell into the freedom of the night (Acts 12.5-10). An angel proclaims the Gospel to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people (Rev. 14.6). Angels are messengers from God to the earth, and they operate for good, according to the will of God.

As messengers, do the angels help us somehow in understanding the Scriptures? Do they prompt us to consider the revelations of divine presence and glory in the creation? What spiritual forces of wickedness do they drive away from us? From what potential harm do they shield us, and how? Do they somehow enhance our friendships in this life? Teach us the ways of joy and obedience? Encourage us in faith, hope, and love? Lead us to safety?

Angels are busily moving back and forth over the Son of Man (Jn. 1.51), from His throne in heaven to His people and creation, to do many wonderful works, most of which we take for granted.

Angels minister to us and bear messages from the throne of grace to, and probably back from, us. It’s a wonder to contemplate. Are we swarmed about each day by unseen, powerful beings who, if we could see them, would terrify us and cause us to hide our eyes? It’s good we can’t see them, because it seems safer imagining them doing battle for us, going on ahead of us, flipping some cognitive switch in our minds or opening some clogged artery of affections in our hearts, than if we observed them performing such good deeds.

Angels are powerful, beautiful, near, and real. Patrick’s good deeds of preaching, caring, nurturing, helping, rescuing, teaching, and building into communities reflected the good deeds of the angels. Celtic Christians, who sustained a clear and compelling vision of the unseen world, were more familiar with, and grateful for, the good works of angels than we in our day tend to be. And they were bolder to proclaim the Gospel in their day, than we are in ours.

We take the grace of God for granted when we do not wonder about and give thanks for the many ways He cares for us each day – including, sending angels to do much good for us. We fail to draw upon His power for obedience when we do not remember that angels guard our every endeavor.

May we know – and appreciate – these daily blessings, and give appropriate thanks, praise, and wonder to our God, Who sends these mysterious, wondrous beings our way, equipped for good works to serve and guide us.

Psalm 91.1-3, 11-16 (Lauda Anima: Praise My Soul the King of Heaven)
All who dwell within God’s shelter in His shadow will reside.
He our Tow’r, our Fortress ever, in Him we our trust confide.
From the trapper’s snares He saves us; safe from sickness we abide.

He shall give His angels charge to bear us up, lest we should fall;
They will guard and carry all who on the Savior’s mercy call.
Cobra, mighty lion, serpent: We shall tread upon them all.

Save us, Lord! We love You only; set us up secure on high!
You we know, on You we call in trouble: Hear us when we cry!
Show us Your salvation, let long life forever satisfy!

Thank You, Lord, for the angels who guard my path, and let me be “like the angels” for others.

The evidence of things not seen
There is much in the unseen world to fill our souls with hope (Heb. 11.1). But we must look to God’s Word, and let the eye of our heart range over that vast landscape and those wondrous beings. Our workbook, The Landscape of Unseen Things, offers 24 studies of that vast unseen domain, to help you in fixing your eyes on the things that are above, where Christ is seated in heavenly places (Col. 3.1-3). Order your copy by clicking here.

Will you seek the Lord?
And while you’re contemplating that unseen realm, remember that the Lord supports our work through the prayers and generous gifts of those who share our vision and are served by our ministry. As you seek Him in prayer, inquire whether He might be pleased to use you in this way. You can use the Contribute button at the website to give with a credit card or through PayPal, or you can send your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction VT 05452. Thank you for prayerfully considering being part of this effort.

T. M. Moore
Principal
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All psalms for singing from The Ailbe Psalter. Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.