There is a story I will be telling for the rest of my life. We were attending a small brethren assembly within walking distance of our home in the country.
Over the years that little assembly literally died. The people were all elderly and so many had gone home to the Lord in the short ten years that we worshiped there, only four of us were left in the pews one Sunday morning, us and an elderly couple who had grown up in the assembly that was established by their parents many years before.
As we were sitting worshiping without a word during the Lord's supper, there was silence in the pews until the men were ready to be led by God to speak.
During that silence I was praying in anguish at the absence of worshipers. Saying to God how grieved I felt that the worshipers were few, where were the worshipers? As I anguished over this loss of so many who loved the Lord, happy they were with the Lord but sad for the community that didn't feel a need to worship in Spirit and in Truth.
As I was praying some tears rolled down my face at the thought of the empty pews, when in days past, this assembly was vibrant, evangelistic while the pews were full of people.
After the prayers and the tears, I heard a creaking sound as though someone was opening the door behind us, then I heard more creaking as the sound of foot steps across the vinyl floor. There were more foot step sounds as if people were filing into the pews. I know it was not my imagination, because the other woman who was with us turned to see who had come in, as did I, there was no one, she looked at me in gleeful surprise as we shared her joy.
After the Lord's Supper, the other woman and I said almost in unison, "I think the Lord sent angels to worship with us today!!!!
The joy began coming from my eyes again, the Lord saw my sadness over the lack of worshipers in the pews and sent a message to us that there were others with us, unseen worshipers, sent by God to encourage us. The other lady was as encouraged as I was, she too was delighted that we were not alone.
Often I have sensed a presence in time of sadness, anguish, safety and joy, as though I was not alone when there were no people to share the experiences.
The Lord is faithful not to leave us completely alone, we have the Holy Spirit that lives in us and I am convinced we are often surrounded by angels who protect us, watch over us and learn from us.
1 Corinthians 11:10 "Therefore the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels."
Luke 22:43 "43 Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him."
Hebrews 1:14 "14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?"
Psalm 34:7 "The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, And rescues them."
Acts 8:26 "But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, "Get up and go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza." (This is a desert road.)"
Matthew 18:10 "10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven."
Acts 27:23 ""For this very night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood before me,"
God is so very kind to us when He sees our desire to please and honor Him.
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