Angels of Humility: A Novel (3 page)

Pastor Hall was sitting in his cluttered office reading his devotions. His radiant guardian angel, Aaron, full of wisdom and knowledge, waited until
Pastor Hall read the section about God’s heart for the widows and orphans. When he saw the word
widows
, Aaron reminded him of something he was going to do six months ago.

He absent-mindedly ran his fingers through his silver gray hair.
Where would I have put that?
He rummaged through the bottom drawer of his old mahogany desk. The first layer was last month’s bulletins, then the file with the church’s electric bills and several candy bar wrappers, I
gotta get rid of the evidence
, he thought, resting his hand on his ample waist. He finally found what he was looking for at the bottom of “get-to-it-someday” papers—George’s obituary from the Bradbury
Gazette
. Neither George nor Sarah had ever been to the church as far as he could remember, but Pastor Hall had made it a practice to visit all the community members who had hard times, whether they were church members or not. He’d done it for the last 18 years.

He closed his worn, leather-bound Bible with the dog-eared pages.
Maybe they’ll get me a new one at my retirement party. This one is pretty much falling apart
. With a prayer on his lips he bounded to his car. Soon he pulled up in front of Sarah’s small white bungalow with purple lilacs surrounding the front porch. His wife always commented on those lilac bushes, but he never knew who lived there.

He whistled all the way up the sidewalk. He loved sharing the Gospel. As near as he could figure, he’d been to almost half the homes in the whole town. He stopped to take a whiff of the fragrant lavender flowers before knocking on the screen door.

Although Pastor Hall had never seen Sarah, he was taken aback by the haggard figure with the sunken eyes staring at him suspiciously through the screen door. Her hair was unkempt, there were bags under her eyes, and her dress was just hanging on her frail body. “Send him away,” growled Deception. “You’ve got no time for him.” After his friendly introduction, though, Sarah overcame her distrust and invited him in.

Sarah was suddenly aware of how a new person would see her surroundings. She felt her face flush as she saw coffee cups half full, left scattered throughout the room. The vacuum cleaner was still plugged in from four weeks ago. Unwatered orchids were dying everywhere. She grabbed the plate with a half-eaten piece of moldy toast and tried to conceal it.

“Please, sit here,” she pointed to an overstuffed floral chair by the fireplace; “I’ll make us some coffee.” She retreated to the kitchen.
What is wrong with me?
She threw the toast in the sink.
I’m losing it
. She cradled her face in her hands as she waited for the coffee. I
can’t do anything right
.

“That’s right sister,”
whispered Discouragement.
“You’re just takin’ up space.”

The spiritual atmosphere in the house was oppressive. While Sarah was in the kitchen Pastor Hall prayed and rebuked the demonic. He couldn’t see them, but he could sense their evil presence by the revulsion he felt in his spirit, and he could see their obvious influence on Sarah.

In response to his prayer, two magnificent angels appeared in the room. Joel, a warrior angel, towered over nine feet tall; his chest was covered with a golden breastplate, and he carried a sharp two-edged sword on his hip in an ornately decorated golden sheath. He was fierce in holiness, constantly alert, and had eyes like flaming fire.

Malta, a worshiping angel, wore a brilliant white robe with a golden sash holding a shofar at the waist. In large pockets around his robe he carried a flute, lyre, and harp. Other pockets held scrolls of heavenly music tied up with ribbons. Glistening light reflected off his golden-blonde hair.

Alive with God’s presence, they reflected the glory of Heaven and brought its fragrance with them wherever they went. Their heavenly bodies were strong and lean, but their real power was their constant lifeline with the Trinity. They were always aware of Father’s orders. Joel and Malta had been ministering together since they were created, the warrior and the worshipper, each equally capable of defeating the enemy; together—unstoppable.

When Sarah came back from the kitchen, she felt her mood elevate slightly for the first time in months. Also, something told her she could trust the man sitting in front of her. After a few questions from Pastor Hall, she sobbed as she poured out her heart about how hard the last few years had been with George’s cancer and then her depression.

After about 20 minutes she mostly composed herself and ended by saying, “Life’s not worth living anymore. I’m just waiting to die. I’m embarrassed to say it,” she looked away from his compassionate eyes and stared
at the floor, “But I’ve even thought of taking my own life. I…I was never able to have children, and now my husband is dead. There’s nothing left for me now.”

“Oh, Sarah, I’m so sorry for all you’ve been through the last couple years.” He leaned toward her. “But I can promise you that suicide is never the solution. It would be wrong for you to take your life because God gave it to you. Even though you’re older, whether you’re going to be around for one, five, or ten years, He still has a plan for you. He loves you so much, and He wants the rest of your life to be productive and joyful. You’ve been listening to the wrong voice, if that makes sense.”

Sarah dabbed at her eyes with the tissue and shook her head no.

“Well, the devil hates you and he has a plan for your life—total destruction—misery and hopelessness on earth and an eternity in Hell after death…”

“Woo hoo,”
shouted Misery.

“.but God loves you, and He has a plan for your life on earth, and then for you to dwell in eternal Paradise with Him. He actually planned your life before He even created the world. You’ve been listening to the devil’s lying voice, which will always lead to something evil. In this case, his lie says that you have no purpose for living and that you should take your own life.

“Don’t listen,” whispered Lying. “You don’t have a purpose. You should be dead by now.”

“Did you grow up in church?”

“No.”

“In that case, I’m going to start with some basics. May I read a few things?”

She nodded.
Why has this kind man come to see me today?

“Before I get to the good news, I’m going to share some bad news. The Bible tells us that all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.
²
I don’t know anyone who is perfect, do you?” Sarah shook her head in agreement.

“This next Scripture tells us that the wages, or the result, of sin is death.
³
Death is eternal separation from a loving God. But that’s not what God wants; He wants relationship with all His children, including you. The Bible says that He’s not willing that any should perish,
⁴
but that He came to give
everyone
eternal life.
⁵
Let me explain this a little more clearly.”

“Nooooo. I can’t take it,” shrieked Depression, writhing.

“Because of God’s holiness, He can’t allow sin in His presence. Sin has to be paid for in order for us to be forgiven. Only then can we be in relationship with God.”

“No, it’s blasphemy. Don’t listen. Don’t listen,” yelled Death.

“Only a person who is totally righteous can pay for sin. When a sinful human dies, his death doesn’t pay for anything. Death is what he deserves. Remember,
‘the wages of sin is death’
⁶
?
None of us has the ability to pay for our own sins. Because Jesus was sinless, when He voluntarily gave His life on the cross, it actually paid for everyone’s sins.
⁷

“Your sins are too bad to ever be forgiven,” screeched Deception. “It’s all a lie.”

“Accept His sacrifice for your sin and then, in gratitude for the free gift of salvation, dedicate your life to following Him every day. Then He will show you His wonderful, life-giving plans. Isn’t that wonderful news?” he asked with a big smile. “What an incredible gift! He is the God who sacrificed Himself for you.”

“I always thought we had to earn our way to Heaven by being good enough,” said Sarah.

“No, we can’t cancel the bad by doing good. Remember, sin has to be paid for. And we don’t live good lives to earn God’s love or to get Him to save us; we live good lives out of gratitude that He saved us as a free gift. Plus, we now have His help to change those sinful habits that we used to be powerless over.”

As Sarah struggled to understand what all that meant, Malta appeared behind her and repeated what Pastor Hall had just spoken. The angels’
voices are not heard with earthly ears, but are apprehended by the human mind as a thought.

For the first time in her life, Sarah felt the weight of sin she was carrying. She realized that she needed forgiveness. Her strategy of trying to be a good person was woefully lacking compared to God’s standard of holiness.
It hasn’t worked for me so far
.

“Sarah, would you like to pray and acknowledge Jesus’ death as paying for all your sins?” Sarah nodded her head.

“Nooo,” screamed Depression. “She’s ours!” Sarah’s affirmation gave Joel the authority he needed to act on her behalf. With one slice of the double-edged sword, he freed Sarah from the demonic torment that was trying to take her life and rob her of her destiny. The demons fled in terror.

Softly, Sarah said, “Dear Jesus, thank You for dying for my sins so I wouldn’t have to. I give You what’s left of my life and ask You to show me what You want me to do.”

When Sarah prayed, although she had no way of knowing it, in the spiritual realm she was clothed in a brilliant, glowing white robe of righteousness. Embroidered in glistening white on the sleeves were Sarah’s spiritual gifts—prophecy (hearing from the Lord for other people) and intercession (fervent prayer).

“This is the same righteousness that Jesus has, as a free gift to you,” said Joel. “Now when Father looks at you, He sees Jesus’ righteousness, provided you continually ask forgiveness for your sins. It’s the most incredible exchange in the world! Your filthy rags of sin
⁸
are traded for the most costly, most valuable robe of righteousness.”

“And this,” said Malta, “is the mantle of humility.” He placed a drab brown-colored robe on her that totally covered her glowing white one.

“Next to the robe of righteousness, this is the most important garment. Don’t ever take it off, Sarah, or you’ll make yourself vulnerable to the enemy. Pride always goes before a fall,
⁹
but God gives grace to the humble.”
¹⁰

“Our Lord was cloaked in humility when He walked the earth. His indescribable glory was temporarily hidden, and humility and love were two
of His distinguishing characteristics.
¹¹
Most Christians never come close to accomplishing what the Lord has for them because they won’t humble themselves,” said Joel. “Humility doesn’t get bestowed on you. It’s a joint venture. God grants you faith and grace as you, through diligent prayer and practice, fight a spiritual battle against your innate prideful desires. God won’t do your part, and you can’t do His.”

Pastor Hall continued, “Sarah, you have no idea how precious you are to the Lord. Did you know that the angels in Heaven are rejoicing right now over your decision?”
¹²

“So are the angels right here,” said Malta as he played a celebratory song on his flute. Joel looked into the open Heaven, raised his hands toward the sky, and worshiped the Lord.
“You are worthy…because You were slain, and with Your blood You purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.”
¹³

These two angels would be with Sarah until her death. And although she was not aware of their presence, they would constantly guard and encourage her in the Lord.

Pastor Hall left and Sarah read the tract he had given her. One of the Scriptures was especially meaningful to her:

The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.
¹⁴

Sarah was more than a little confused about all that had happened, but she knew she felt immensely better. Her thoughts of suicide were totally gone, and she was able to sleep through the night. She left the house to grocery shop without fear, and she enjoyed eating again. Her strength was returning and she was able to revive most of her orchids.

She went to church that Sunday morning and made her public profession of faith, just like Pastor Hall had encouraged her to do. Two weeks later, she was baptized at age 71 and joined the over-60 Sunday school class. She gathered copies of all the free devotionals, tracts, and literature to take home and study.

Pastor Hall scheduled several meetings with Sarah to get her started on the right track. Sarah’s primary spiritual gift, her true spiritual destiny, was intercession, which had lain dormant her entire life. Although Pastor Hall didn’t realize this, the basic teachings that he gave her on prayer helped to get her started.

Sarah was seated across the mahogany desk with a pen and a notebook.

“Sarah, it’s important that every Christian has a time of prayer with the Lord the first thing in the morning. Jesus is our model. The Scriptures tell us that He often withdrew by Himself to pray.
¹⁵
He never acted independently of the Father, but stayed until He received instruction and strength for His daily plans. That’s why Scripture says that Jesus only did what He saw the Father doing.
¹⁶
If Jesus needed to meet with the Father each day, how much more important is it for us?”

This was all new to Sarah, but she nodded her agreement at this sobering thought.

“Now maybe you didn’t know this, but the devil shows up at Christians’ prayer times, too. He’ll do everything he can to distract and accuse you. You can’t let him derail you.” He saw a look of confused horror spread across Sarah’s face.