Matthew 18:10

Guardian Angels

In heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 18:10.

Do you like a story with an angel in it? I do. There is a sort of other-world feeling about an angel story that makes it particularly delightful. The best book I know for angel stories is the Bible. You would be surprised to know how often the Bible speaks of angels, and how much it tells us about them. We learn there that they are God's messengers to men, that they guide and comfort them, warn and protect them. And we learn too that they form a sort of court in Heaven, and that angel choirs are for ever praising God.

Christ often spoke of angels, and one of the most interesting things He said about them is in today's text. He told us that little children have guardian angels and that these guardian angels have the special privilege of entrance to God's presence at any moment. “In heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven,” He said. Christ was speaking to Eastern people and they would understand better than we do what He meant by the words “behold the face.” In an Eastern court those who are special favorites of the monarch are allowed to see his face and to stand near his presence, as a mark of great intimacy and confidence. Even in this country we have a custom somewhat similar. Ambassadors of a certain rank can speak to the king only through his ministers, but those of the highest rank have what is called the right of “direct access.” They can see the king and speak with him face to face.

Now why should the children's angels have this special privilege? I'll tell you why I think they have it. God gives them this privilege because He specially loves His little ones, and He is anxious that they, who are small and helpless and not able to look after themselves, should get special care and attention. He appoints those guardian angels to watch over the children so that if anybody should try to harm the little ones the angels may report it to Him at once. And He often gives those angels power to ward off danger and keep the children safe. Nobody sees them at their task, but they are busy all the time.

Sometimes God has permitted people to see the children's angels. Shall I tell you a story of how men saw them on one occasion?

It was long ago in Italy. The people of a certain little town called Spinalunza were besieged by enemies from another town called Pisa. The Pisans, who were at the same time at war with Florence, said that all they wanted was a pledge that the Spinalunzans would not join Florence to fight against them.

“What pledge do you ask?” inquired the men of Spinalunza; and the men of Pisa answered, “Let twenty of your children ride back to Pisa with us as hostages.” “The children shall march out of the gates tomorrow at daybreak and you may choose the twenty,” replied the Spinalunzans. All night the enemy spent the long hours drinking. The children spent them sleeping. Their parents spent them praying. At dawn the gates were thrown wide, and the children trooped out singing and bearing aloft a cross. And lo! behind each child was an angel with a fiery sword. As the band of children and angels swept through the gates the enemy fled panic-stricken. And the Spinalunzans completed the victory by putting them utterly to rout.

But, children, it is not only in danger that your guardian angels care for you. They care for you all the time. They care for you when you are tempted, for instance. When you feel something telling you to turn away from temptation, pleading with you not to do wrong, that is your guardian angel speaking to you. His whole aim is to help you. The worst of it is that sometimes you are not willing to help him. And he can't do everything. You must do so much.

There was once a man who dreamed a strange dream. He dreamed that he had gone to Heaven, and there he saw far off on the heights countless hosts of shining ones whom he guessed to be angels. A nearer look told him they were angels; but what surprised him was to find that, while some of them had faces glad and radiant, others looked sad and dispirited. Curious to know the reason of this he summoned up courage to ask who they were. “We are guardian angels,” was the reply. “Is my guardian angel here?” inquired the man. “Pass on and you will find,” was the reply. Through the white-robed ranks went the man, till his way was barred by an angel with drooping wings and bowed head and a pale tired face. “You were seeking me,” said he; “I am your guardian angel.” “I am grieved to see you so sad and weary,” said the man. “How could it be otherwise?” replied the angel. “All the days of your life on earth I worked to guard you and help you. But when did you ever aid me in my task? I had to do it all alone.”

Boys and girls, what about your guardian angel? Are you being fair to him? Are you doing your part? Remember he needs your help as much as you need his.