12 Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. 13 But for twenty-one days the spirit prince[c] of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels,[d] came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia.[e] 14 Now I am here to explain what will happen to your people in the future, for this vision concerns a time yet to come.” NLT
The minister had me thinking about the angels and what, specifically, we put them through. Without quoting too much scripture most Christians would agree angels probably do many things, but I think mostly try to protect us from the evil spirits around us. Those spirits which would have us make a wrong turn, and through our own willingness, lead us down a path towards destruction, their ultimate goal.
Someday when heaven's gates i see i expect many glad reunions. My mother first of all, grandparents and others. But maybe the greatest meeting of that day will be with the angel, who despite my efforts at times, has kept me on a path toward that day. Since our sins will have been washed away I suppose he will not tell me of the time he beat back the demons of greed, anger and lust. He may not be able to show me the scars my own decisions inflicted when i chose the wrong path and he was face to face with the fiery sword of the demon leading the way.
The picture attached is of a battle weary soldier from Vietnam. His eyes tell the story of unthinkable horrors, battles won and lost, injury and opponents dead and dying. Someday, i can meet this soldier of mine, the angel whose name i do not know, and to him be eternally grateful.
