Does the Bible speak about guardian angels?
There is no question that the Bible says there are angels, but do we each have a guardian angel that remains near us?
Scripture gives numerous examples of angels being near people to attend or protect them. In the Old Testament we read how Hagar and Ishmael were protected by angels (Genesis 21:17). Lot was protected by angels who urged him out of the wicked city of Sodom (Genesis 19:15), and angels guarded Jacob when he faced his angry brother (Genesis 32:1). Elijah was attended by an angel who brought him food and drink (1 Kings 19:5), and Daniel was guarded by an angel when he was thrown to the lions (Daniel 6:22).
In the New Testament, an angel instructed Joseph to protect Jesus and Mary by escaping to Egypt, and then told him when to return (Matthew 2:13, 19–20), and another angel stood by Paul to guard him in the midst of a terrible storm at sea. He told the sailors:
“‘And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, saying, “Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.”’” Acts 27:22–24
David speaks of the personal protecting mission of angels who are involved in all the ways of our lives:
“Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place,
no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; for He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Psalm 91:9–12
The mission of the angels described here is both to guard and protect those who put their trust in God.
The Bible adds that angels are also given the task of ministering to us:
“But to which of the angels has He ever said: ‘Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool’? Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?” Hebrews 1:13–14
The ministry that God has ordained for angels to perform is not just physical protection. Angels are engaged in the task of spiritual defense and protection. The protective role they play in spiritual battles around us is pictured in terms of military warfare. The Bible says that an angel announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds in Luke 2:13 and was suddenly joined by “a multitude of the heavenly host.” And “host” is a military term to describe an army of soldiers. Angels minister on our behalf as protectors in the spiritual conflicts we face.
Because of our limitations, we are seldom aware of the angels’ presence near us, so the Bible urges us to welcome the ministry of angels by welcoming people we can see with godly love:
“Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.” Hebrews 13:2
Jesus also told us more about the personal ministry of angels toward sinful humans:
“‘Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.’” Matthew 18:10
The Savior describes each child as being attended by an angel. But He does not limit His angels to only protecting young children. God cares about each person, no matter their age, and it is good to know that He has not left us to face the temptations of sin alone.
We should remember that our focus is not to be on the angels, but upon God, who sends them to minister to us. Even the angels direct all the glory back to Him. In the book of Revelation, John bowed to worship at the feet of an angel who was shining with the glory of God; but the angel refused his worship:
“Then he said to me, ‘See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.’” Revelation 22:9