The Encampment of the Lord

This last week has been a tough one physically, as can be expected following my second course of chemotherapy, but I've also experienced a strong spiritual attack at the same time. One night, for example, I had a string of horrific nightmares that can only be described as demonic in nature. But during this time I've come to appreciate, even more than before, the strong faith of my family and my church. They've stuck with me through all this time, interceding in the depths of the night, and standing by me in prayer. I found myself rallying in faith, and it has been a significant experience, which I'll share with you over a few posts.

Today I'd like to share one important concept with you which has emerged over the last few days. Genesis 32:1-2 says:

"Jacob also went on his way, and the angels of God met him. When Jacob saw them, he said, 'This is the camp of God!' So he named that place Mahanaim."

Jacob had been travelling to meet his brother, Esau, and thus to face up to a major crisis in his life. He had no idea of the outcome of this meeting, with the possibility of a family feud erupting into outright warfare. But on his way, "the angels of God met him," and Jacob's response is revealing. He recognised that that place was an encampment of God's angels, and therefore called the place, Mahanaim, which literally means "two camps" - his own camp and the camp of God.

In Psalm 34:6, David writes:

"This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles."

In the next verse, he goes on to explain how the Lord "saved him out of all his troubles":

"The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them."

Jacob's experience was exactly this. The terms "camp" and "encamps", as used by both Jacob and David, are military terms. And this was not just a description of the angel of the Lord setting up a tent nearby. It is a military encampment - in fact, it is not just an "encamping" next to us, it is an "encamping" around us!

I believe we don't yet fully know the extent to which God's angels interact with our difficult situations. We are warned rightly in Colossians 2:18 against the worship of angels, and we should never have an unhealthy focus on them, yet they are very much a part of our spiritual landscape. In Hebrews 12:22, we are told that we have "come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly..." And Hebrews 1:14 teaches:

"Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?"

In 2 Thessalonians 1:7, we are told that when Jesus returns, he will be "revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels", but these are exactly the same angels who are even now "sent to serve those who will inherit salvation"!

When God led his people out of Egypt, he told them in Exodus 23:20-23:

"See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared...If you listen carefully to what he says and do all that I say, I will be an enemy to your enemies and will oppose those who oppose you. My angel will go ahead of you and bring you into the land of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hivites and Jebusites, and I will wipe them out."

Later, in verses 27-28, the Bible describes this angelic action in the following way:

"I will send my terror ahead of you and throw into confusion every nation you encounter. I will make all your enemies turn their backs and run. I will send the hornet ahead of you to drive the Hivites, Canaanites and Hittites out of your way."

The angel of the Lord is described as being a "terror" and a "hornet" unleashed against our enemies! What situation are you facing right now that requires a spiritual "hornet" set loose?

In the midst of the crisis he was facing, Jacob realised what was happening. He knew that in the event of open warfare, he had an encampment of angels - "terrors" and "hornets" - who were fully armed and prepared to go to war on his behalf. And this is now the same for us! This is why Psalm 34 - the same psalm that declares that "the angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them" - also makes the following declarations:

• Verse 4 - "I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears."

• Verse 6 - "This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles."

• Verse 15 - "The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry..."

• Verse 17 - "The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles..."

• Verse 19 - "A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all..."

• Verse 22 - "The LORD redeems his servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him."