Daily Bread

God's helpers

March 7, 2011 | 12:00am

Bless the Lord, you His angels. — Psalm 103:20

I was having a conversation with some children about God and superheroes when Tobias asked a question. An imaginative, curious 5-year-old, he asked anyone listening: “Does God have a sidekick like Hercules does?” His older, wiser brother, age 7, quickly responded: “Yes, He has thousands of them — they’re His angels.”

Angels are a popular topic of discussion, and people believe a number of myths about them. For instance, some people pray to angels, thinking they are on the same level as God Himself. And some believe that people become angels when they die. But here’s what the Bible, our authority, teaches:

• God created angels (Col. 1:15-17).

• Angels worship God (Neh. 9:6), and are known by these terms: archangels (Jude 1:9) cherubim (2 Kings 19:15), and seraphim (Isa. 6:1-3).

• They minister to God’s people (Heb. 1:13-4) by guarding and protecting them (Ps. 91:9-12).

• They are given special assignments by God (Matt. 1:20, Luke 1:26).

• God’s angels rejoice when we repent of sin and turn to Christ for salvation (Luke 15:7,10).

Only God deserves our worship. So let’s join the angels in singing His praises! — Anne Cetas

All hail the power of Jesus’ name!

Let angels prostrate fall;

Bring forth the royal diadem,

And crown Him Lord of all. — Perronet

READ: Psalm 103:19-22

Angels are God’s special helpers.