“For the Lord your God is He that goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.”
Deuteronomy 20:4 (RSV)
To everyone who ever hoped to have someone fight for them, you can be assured that God fights for you all day long by sending angel armies to battle those enemies of our souls, that we cannot see. He doesn’t fight to give us whatever we want, but to do what is best for our eternal souls.
As I think back to my early teens, I’m convinced now that God sent invisible helpers to lead me to a path of truth, which eventually set me free. During my foolish teen years, I immersed myself in the occult, dabbling with witchcraft, spells and into every area of fortune telling. As would be expected, I eventually became spiritually oppressed and couldn’t sleep well. I heard noises in my house, and felt an invisible presence over my shoulder at all times. Demonic oppression is real and it had a grip on me, but God sent His angels to fight for me.
I’m always a bit hesitant to tell my story, thinking some may find it disturbing, or suspect it’s all in my mind, but I know that God fought for me. I have a special appreciation for Michael, the archangel, who appears in the Old Testament, to Joshua and Daniel, introducing himself as the captain of the Lord of hosts. He also appeared to John in his vision of Revelation. Michael’s role is directing all other angels in battling evil and angels are leading all of us to a saving faith in Jesus Christ.
I became entangled in the occult, which began with a Ouija board that was brought into my home when I was about twelve. Out of my whole family I took hold of it the most, and it took hold of me as well. I became very obsessed with all topics related to the occult. My spiritual hunger was misdirected to the wrong spirits.
By nineteen, I felt trapped by the effects of the occult, but still gave little thought to God, thinking I fell out of favor with Him a long time ago. Someone once told me about a book of prophecies that foretold the end of the world. In my fascination with prophecy, I went to an occult bookstore to buy the book. The clerk told me the book was based on the Bible and they don’t sell those books there, so I just gave up on the idea and headed home. I know now that angels were moving into action on my behalf that day.
On the way home, while waiting for a bus, I stood in front of a little store that sold candy, snacks, magazines and newspapers. I casually glanced in the window of that store, and there was the exact book that I just inquired about. I believe the Holy Spirit and angels were directing me to that paperback book that day.
I went home and read the entire book in one afternoon, while alone in my home. The prophecies about the end times didn’t change anything for me but a little prayer on the last page of the book was my destiny changer. It was a simple prayer, thanking Jesus for dying on the cross for my sins, asking His forgiveness and inviting Him into my life.
I was totally drawn in and ready to pray the prayer, but before I could start, I heard noises in my kitchen although no one was home but me. A kitchen cabinet door was opened which I never opened. My two cats began racing back and forth in the house as if an unseen force was chasing them. An invisible battle was in progress, and though I could see nothing, angels were fighting a spiritual battle for my soul. I know now that God sent Michael, who sent angels to defeat the powers of darkness, and lead me to turn my life over to Jesus.
I finally prayed that prayer and felt a physical sensation as if warm oil was pouring over me from head to toe. It felt like the loving presence of Jesus and the cleansing of His forgiveness. In that moment, the Holy Spirit was taking over my whole being in a very powerful way and I had a peace that surpassed all understanding.
There were no more noises in my home and no longer any presence over my shoulder, because angels drove away all the unwanted spirits and the Holy Spirit was in full control. That all happened over fifty years ago but I remember it as if it were yesterday.
God’s archangel, Michael, pierced the darkness that had a grip on me, and the power of the blood of Jesus set me free that day.
God sends His angels to fight for us and He never stops fighting for our souls. We have nothing to fear because greater is the Holy Spirit who is in us, than whoever or whatever is in the world around us. We can have peace which surpasses all understanding, knowing God loves us and will fight for our souls.
Lord, thank you for your heavenly armies who fight for us and for our loved ones. Shine your light through every kind of darkness today and give us peace, because of your great love for us. Amen
