Heroes and their angels

My God sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me... ~ Daniel 6:22

(NLT)Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. "Quick, get up!" he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists. ~ Acts 12:7 (TNIV)

Parallels:

• Two incarcerated heroes (one sleeping so soundly that he needed a whack on the side to wake up -- even after his dank and dark prison cell was filled with light).

• Both men had been bold for God.

• Both in fairly immediate danger.

• Both rescued by angels (the mysterious messengers of God).

Why would God allow the perps to lock up his people? Just so he could rescue them? Why angels? Did Daniel actually see the angel in his lion's den or did he just assume that one had been at work? Can we assume that God still sends angels to hold off lions -- even if we don't see them? Have you ever seen an angel? How do you know? Are these stories really about angels at all -- or is the focus on the one who sends the angels?

God, sometimes we get in trouble not because of sin or doubt in our lives but because we're doing exactly what you've told us to do. Grant me the confidence of Daniel and Peter who seem totally unphased by the danger. Help me to relax in the knowledge of your rescue and to know that you've got your agents -- with your sense of timing -- working on the situation. Ultimately you're in control -- that's a fact in which I am resting. Amen.