Snakes and angels

The Albino Cobra loose in a California neighborhood

This morning, on the news, I watched a segment about an albino cobra that was loose in a California neighborhood. An animal control officer said authorities believe the cobra was likely smuggled into the country and belongs to a resident who has been known to keep exotic animals, like snakes, birds and turtles, in a rented house. The cobra, while beautiful, was also very deadly. For some reason, thinking about that cobra prompted me to remember a verse in the Bible.

^"11 For He will give His angels [especial] charge over you to accompany and defend and preserve you in all your ways [of obedience and service].

¹² They shall bear you up on their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone.

¹³ You shall tread upon the lion and cobra; the young lion and the serpent shall you trample underfoot." Psalm 91:11-13Amplified Bible (AMP)

Some people don't believe in angels and some people worship angels.While God doesn't want us to worship angels, He does want us to believe they exist. You don't have to see an angel to know they're real. In my life, I've had several encounters with angels. Each of these encounters came during a time where I was either very ill or in desperate need of help. 

In 1970, I was lying in the hospital after just having had my gallbladder removed. I was a very sick thirteen year old. It wasn't normal for a person that young to have gallbladder problems and through a serious of strange circumstances, my gastroenterologist had discovered the problem in the nick of time. While on the operating table, my gallbladder burst allowing poisonous gangrene to spread through my body. The doctor worked quickly to remove the diseased organ from my body and get me on strong antibiotics to save my life. One night, as I lay in the hospital, I was extremely weak and sweating profusely. I felt so badly, I just knew I was going to die. I remember seeing an angel all dressed in white hovering at the foot of my bed. I thought I was hallucinating but I wasn't afraid. I never heard the angel speak audibly to me, but I knew in my heart that everything was going to be okay and that I was going to get better. The next morning, I told my mother about the incident and she just smiled.

In 1991, I was involved in a serious car accident where my right leg was crushed from the knee down. I remember being in my car driving on a two lane road in Gainesville. I had the radio on and was headed home from running an errand in town. The sky grew dark and it began to mist rain. All of a sudden, time seemed to shift into slow motion as I saw a large white pickup truck flying through the air headed straight for me. Amazingly, I wasn't afraid. I remember closing my eyes and calling out the name, "Jesus." When I awoke, there were firemen and medical emergency staff all around my car as they worked to get me out. I was told that it was a miracle I hadn't been killed. I knew it was because angels had guided that truck into a position where only the left front and side of my car were damaged. They had given me the peace to know that even if I'd been killed, it would have been okay. 

I could share experience after experience where God has used angels to help meet needs in my life but they are too numerous to recount here. During great times of grief, they've been there to hold me up. During times I've needed protection, they've been with me. Sometimes, God's allowed me to see angels in the sweet faces of strangers. Those angels unawares have impacted my life in small but profound ways. 

When I found out I had cancer, God allowed a special angel to minister to me. This angel had a name and her name was Alma. She worked for my gynecologist's office and yes, she was an angel with "skin on." Alma took it upon herself to call me at various times during the first week of my tragic news. She offered words of comfort and hope. While I know Alma was human, I still consider her an angel. God knew I needed someone to minister to me. He knew I was feeling hopeless and destitute. I'm sure He prompted Alma to share His love with me and I'll always be grateful for her obedience.

Countless times, angels have protected me from terrible traffic accidents. They've protected us from flying debris on the expressway. They've shielded us from dangers both seen and unseen.  If you think about it, I'm sure you've experienced your own angel encounters. Perhaps you've met an angel unaware, perhaps not. Angels are everywhere. The Bible eludes to the fact that each of us has our very own guardian angel. You may be aware of an angel's presence or you may not. In any event, God's angels are His messengers, His ministering spirits, and His servants. They do exactly as He bids them do. We are never supposed to worship angels. Only God deserves our worship and praise, but I am so thankful that He uses angels to minister to me at times I need them most. Billy Graham in his book, Angels, Angels, Angels says, "But the Bible does tell us that for the believer nothing happens outside God’s control–and yes, if we know Christ, His angels continually watch over us." 

I'm sure the people in the Thousand Oaks subdivision in California are on edge because of that albino cobra. I'm sure they'll be very thankful when he's captured and taken away from their homes and families. But I am thankful that seeing him on the television this morning prompted me to remember God's faithfulness and love. I'm also thankful that God has armies of angels ready to dispatch at His command.

©bonnie annis all rights reserved

My Prayer: 
Heavenly Father, just knowing that your ministering angels protect Your children gives me security as I travel through dangers seen and unseen. I appreciate how You reveal Your truths to me through circumstances and situations that I can't always explain. I know You're using those times to teach me Your truths. You have confirmed in many situations that angels work on my behalf, doing Your perfect will in my life as well as in the universe. Thank you for dispatching Your angels to protect and guide me. Amen. 


"See, I am sending an angel before you, to guard you on the way and bring you to the place I have prepared. Exodus 23:20 

The angel of the LORD, who encamps with them, delivers all who fear God. Psalm 34:7
Are they not all ministering spirits sent to serve, for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation? Hebrews 1:14

^"11 For He will give His angels [especial] charge over you to accompany and defend and preserve you in all your ways [of obedience and service].

¹² They shall bear you up on their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone.

¹³ You shall tread upon the lion and cobra; the young lion and the serpent shall you trample underfoot." 
Psalm 91:11-13 Amplified Bible (AMP)