Broad meadows

I’ve written and said while teaching that if you feel like your life is a test, it’s because it is a test. We are tempted within and without with sin and with each reaction we either learn and improve or fall deeper into sin. But all of our reactions to these various temptations are kept and tallied, with each of us having to give an account of actions, words and attitudes to God.

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 4:2, “Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.” Jesus says in Luke 16:11, “So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?” In ways large and small we are given opportunities to make our case for the kingdom of heaven. It’s not something that can be faked or earned. It must come from a heart devoted to God, not simply out of duty, but from learning to love the LORD our God with all our heart, mind and strength and exhibiting it in our treatment of one another, truly caring about the welfare of others.

The men and women of God portrayed in the Bible are always tested by God, not so God may gain information, but so that the person better understands the genuineness of their faith and the goodness of God, serving as examples to future generations. The book of Job is a framework into which almost anyone can relate to in some degree. Jesus himself was tempted forty days in the wilderness.

The Angel of the LORD inhabits a unique place in the kingdom of heaven. On the one hand, the term angel implies created being. On the other, he speaks in what appears to be the first person when speaking of God, for instance in Judges 2. He is the destroyer of Egypts first born, the slayer of a hundred and eighty five thousand Assyrians, the sword of Gods judgement on David and Israel because of the unauthorized census. When the angel Gabriel, also a being of immense power, was detained by the prince of Persia, it was Michael that freed him to go to Daniel. A being of immense power and authority.

So under what circumstances does Michael arise as prophesied in Daniel 12? In the book of Job, God points out Job for his righteous behavior to Satan and immediately he attacks Jobs’ motivation for his behavior. I believe this is probably what happened with Michael. “Of course he serves you,” the devil might say, “you let him kill, but he’s just a murderer. You take away his position and authority and he would continue to be such.” But God uses this opportunity to continue His plan for humanity. He knows those who are His and what motivates each of us. And in this case, God gives his angel a chance to show his worth and why he was given the authority that he was. He also gives one of His princes relief from the memories of those times he dealt death to the enemies of God.