Morning, October 3, edited from Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening

“Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?” — Hebrews 1:14

Angels are the unseen attendants of the family of God; they bear us up in their hands, in case we should dash our foot against a stone. Loyalty to their Lord leads them to take a deep interest in the children of his love; they rejoice over the return of the prodigal to his father’s house below, and they welcome the arrival of the believer to the King’s palace above. In times past the sons of God were favored with their visible appearance, and in this day, although unseen by us, heaven is still opened, and the angels of God ascend and descend to the Son of man, that they may visit the heirs of salvation. Seraphim still fly with live coals from off the altar to touch the lips of men greatly beloved. If our eyes could be opened, we could see horses of fire and chariots of fire around the servants of the Lord; for we have come to an innumerable company of angels, who are all watchers and protectors of the royal offspring. Spenser’s line is no poetic fiction, where he sings–

“How oft do they with golden pinions cleave

The flitting skies, like flying pursuivant [attendant]

Against foul fiends to aid us militant!”

To what nobility are the chosen elevated when the brilliant companions of heaven’s courts become their willing servants! Into what communion are we raised since we have communication with spotless celestials! How well are we defended since all the twenty- thousand chariots of God are armed for our deliverance! To whom do we owe all this?

Let the Lord Jesus Christ be forever endeared to us, for through him we are made to sit in heavenly places far above principalities and powers. It is He whose camp is arrayed around them that fear him; he is the true Michael whose foot is upon the dragon. All hail, Jesus! You, Angel of Jehovah’s presence, to you this family offers its morning vows.