It’s thrilling to read of the times when angels have appeared to men and women.
We can imagine what it must have been like for Daniel to hear the words of Gabriel saying, “At the beginning of your supplications the commandment went forth, and I am come to tell you; for you are greatly beloved…” ~ Daniel 9:23. Or for Zacharias to hear: “Fear not…because your supplication is heard, and your wife Elisabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.” ~ Luke 1:13.
How must Mary have felt in hearing Gabriel’s astonishing message: “Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee… And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS." ~ Luke 1:29,31
What must the shepherds in Bethlehem have felt when they heard a whole host of angels proclaiming Jesus’ birth? What a thrill it would have been to be there! How thrilling would it be to see angels proclaiming God’s love for us even today!
Yet, even if an angel were to fly from heaven right now and tell you personally how much God loves you, it would never match the gentle confirmation of love that the Holy Spirit has already spoken into our hearts.
Daniel was impressed by Gabriel’s visit, but it was nothing like his reaction when he saw The Son of Man whose face was “as the appearance of lightning.” Daniel writes, “there remained no strength in me, neither was there breath left in me. Then there touched me again one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me. And he said, O man greatly beloved, fear not…” ~ Daniel 10:17-19.
When God Himself whispers His love to us, it is infinitely more thrilling than a whole host of angels who may proclaim it!
Our souls know that as precious as His words of grace may be, they pale compared with the glory that they portend. Grace and glory always go together. The Lord will never deny glory to a soul whom he has freely given his grace; “glory is nothing more than grace in full bloom, grace like autumn fruit, mellow and perfected.”*
In the Spirit’s voice, we not only hear the thrilling assurance of His love for us. We also hear His assurance that we will share His glory -- the glory of the Holy City, the glory of heaven, the glory of eternity, the glory of Jesus, the glory of the Father, that He will freely give to His beloved.
“His gifts are beyond measure precious and are as freely given as the light of the sun. He gives grace to his elect because he wills it, to his redeemed because of his covenant, to the called because of his promise, to believers because they seek it, to sinners because they need it.”*
We see in Jesus the most remarkable truth about God – that His love drives Him to pursue us, no matter the cost.
No angel’s voice can compare with His declaration of love!
*Quotes from Spurgeon, Morning & Evening, Oct 1st