50. Angelic Protection In Appointed Ways.

For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. - Psalm 91:11.

The Lord gave his people shelter in the time of pestilence, for he had promised, "There shall no evil befall thee; neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling." The former verses celebrate the Passover of those who dwell in God.

After the Passover came a journey to Canaan; and the promise of the covenant angel and his keeping them in all their ways, fitly follow upon the rescue from the plague.

We, too, are pilgrims on our way to Canaan. He who set us free by the Passover deliverance also provides for our journey to the land which floweth with milk and honey. All the way to the promised land is covered by this divine safe conduct.

I. THERE ARE WAYS WHICH ARE NOT IN THE PROMISE.

"Skil thy ways" are mentioned; but some tracks are not to be followed by children of God, and are not their ways.

1. Ways of presumption. In these men court danger, and, as it were, defy God. "Cast thyself down," said Satan to our Lord, and then urged this promise (Matt. 4:6).

2. Ways of sin, dishonesty, lying, vice, worldly conformity, etc. We have no permit to bow in the house of Rimmon (Eph. 5:12).

3. Ways of worldliness, selfishness, greed, ambition. The ways by which men seek personal aggrandizement are usually dark, and crooked, and are not of God (Prov. 28:22; 1 Tim. 6:9).

4. Ways of pride, self-conceit, boastful promisings, pretended perfection, etc. "Pride goeth before destruction."

5. Ways of will worship, willfulness, obstinacy, fancy, day-dreaming, absurd impulse, etc. (Jer. 2:18).

6. Ways of erroneous doctrine, novel practice, fashionable ceremonial, flattering delusion, etc. (2 Tim. 3:5).

II. THERE ARE WAYS IN WHICH SAFETY IS GUARANTEED.

l. The way of humble faith in the Lord Jesus.

2. The way of obedience to divine precepts.

3. The way of childlike trust in providential guidance.

4 The way of strict principle, and stern integrity.

5. The way of consecrated service, and seeking God's glory.

6. The way of holy separation, and walking with God.

III. THESE WAYS LEAD US INTO VARIED CONDITIONS.

1. They are changeful and varied: "all thy ways."

2. They are sometimes stony with difficulty: "foot against a stone."

3. They may be terrible with temptation.

4. They may be mysteriously trying. Devils may throng the path, only to be met by holy angels.

5. They are essentially safe, while the smooth and easy roads are perilous.

IV. BUT WHILE WALKING IN THEM ALL BELIEVERS ARE SECURE.

1. The Lord Himself concerns Himself about them: "He shall give his angels charge over thee." He will personally command those holy beings to have an eye to His children. David charged his troops to spare Absalom, but his bidding was disregarded. It is not so with God.

2. Mysterious agencies protect them: angels bear them up in their hands, as nurses carry little children. Wonderful tenderness and power! Angels acting as servants to men!

3. All things are on their side, both visible and invisible. Command is laid on all to protect the saints. "Thou hast given commandment to save me" (Ps. 71:3).

4. Each one is personally watched over. "Charge over thee to keep thee (Isa. 13:6; Gen. 28:15).

5. That watchfulness is perpetual: "All thy ways" (Ps. 121:3-4).

6. This guard also confers honor. How noble a thing to have the courtiers of heaven for a corps de garde!

7. All this comes to them by Jesus, whose the angels are, and whom they serve (Isa. 43:4).

· See how the lowest employment is consistent with the highest enjoyment. Keeping guard over the Lord's stumbling children is no discredit to angels.

· How cheerfully we should watch over others! How vigorously should we hold them up whenever it is in our power! To cast off a stumbling brother is not angelic, but the reverse.

· How safe we ought to feel, how fully trustful we ought to be! Alexander slept soundly, "for;' said he, "Parmenio wakes."

· How holy we should be with such holy ones for watchers! Great privileges involve heavy responsibilities.