Provocation

My husband Shann has been researching angels for a novel he is working on. He recently texted me a few verses from Exodus 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. Pay attention to him and listen to what he says. Do not provoke him; he will not forgive your rebellion, since my Name is in him.”

What a message to consider! I believe that our current culture doesn’t think much about angels. I don’t know that I spend much of my day in this frame of mind. I have never considered this idea that I can provoke angels sent to guard and assist me. What would this provocation look like? Perhaps not paying attention and not listening.

How often does this happen when we have a narrow miss in life? I look at the phone instead of the road, I tempt a line that should not be crossed, I put myself in the wrong place, I talk about what I should not. These are situations I can find myself in because I am not listening. Perhaps, I not only provoke God but also the mighty ones God has to do His bidding.

God’s mighty angels are real. How am I respecting this truth? How can I listen more carefully?

*My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm. –*Daniel 6:22