Hebrews 1:14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

Evidently there was an issue, back in the 1^st Century, of some people worshiping angels instead of God. This sort of thing has been a problem throughout human history, with people worshiping all sorts of impressive things that were less than God. It’s where animism comes from, where people worship impressive things in nature, and is the source of such things as Baal being “the storm god.” Actually, the devil loves this sort of thing, because he seeks to steal the worship that belongs only to God, and as Paul cautions, he can appear to us as an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11:14) It is sadly the source of people praying to saints, instead of to the Trinity. Why pray to anything less that the Godhead? If we think we’re too unimportant for God Himself to care about us, we don’t understand God. Jesus said He cares about even how many hairs we have on our head! (Matthew 10:30) We fall into this sort of trap precisely because our concept of God is too small. We think, “How could the Creator of the universe care about me?” He’s big enough to care about each one of His children individually, and He does. That’s why He created the angels as ministering spirits to serve us!

I would be the last person to say that angels aren’t impressive. Every time the Bible records their appearance, the people involved have to be told not to be afraid. I’ve never seen one myself, but my wife has on several occasions, and she says they are bigger than the room they are in, mighty warriors. At the same time, they can appear as normal human beings, as Hebrews notes. (Hebrews 13:2) I’ve read reports of “people” who appeared at accident scenes, helped people out, and then disappeared. My wife prayed for a man at a traffic accident and he later wanted to know who the man was who was standing beside her, when there were no men present. I am convinced of the reality of angels and am grateful for them, but I never want to fall into the trap of worshiping them. Any angel of God wouldn’t want that anyway! There are many things I will never understand fully in this life, and angels are one of them. I need to focus on my Lord, with full gratitude for all that He provides, angels included!

Father, thank You for Your incredible, gracious love. Help me not be distracted by anything less, so that I may be fully obedient to You in all purity. Thank You. Praise God!