“Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” – Hebrews 1:14
Marcus Stanley is a talented pianist, playing for some of the biggest names in the music industry.
His career almost came to a tragic end when he was shot eight times at close range.
"I was not focused on the people," he explained. "I was not focused on the message. I was not focused on Christ. I was really focused on just making it -- being a musician, being a popular musician, and playing for a great artist.”
Enjoying success, Marcus lived extravagantly, traveling the country with well-known musicians.
All of that changed the night of April 2, 2004. Late on that night, he was walking to a store. He had forgotten his wallet and went back to his room. As he was retracing his steps, a guy on the corner pulled a gun on him and started shooting.
"When I first saw the flash I didn't know I got shot," Marcus said. "I just remember hitting the ground and then when he stood over top of me that's when I saw an angel get in front of me. And I remember it because I didn't have time to think about that. It was an instantaneous thing."
Marcus continued.
"It was probably -- I mean I'm 6 foot 7 -- and the angel was probably like 7-foot something," he said. "It was just a transparent figure. I couldn't tell if it was a male or female. I didn't see wings or anything like that. I saw it was clear, transparent and it was in front of me."
"I knew it was an angel just because the protection," he continued. "It got into a position like this [arms crossed] in front of me and I remember seeing that."
Still barely alive, he managed to dial 911. By the time paramedics arrived, they offered little hope he would survive. At the hospital, Marcus went immediately into surgery where he recalled seeing a familiar face.
"Saw a lot of doctors and nurses kind of standing and I remember looking as I'm getting ready for surgery, I remember looking and seeing the same angel that was on the street and the angel was just kind of like arms crossed... It didn't do anything or say anything. It was kind of like nodding its head," he said.
Marcus recovered from his wounds and today he travels the world to share his story.
"It's not really about the music," he explained. "It's more about what God's done in my life and I aim to make him famous at everything I do and to show his glory."
Angels are ministering spirits sent to serve us and protect us. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that He has sent His angels to protect us.
“Could the veil be lifted, we would see that angels of God are around us to preserve us from unseen dangers. Thousands of times has their care been especially manifested for us in our warfare with the agencies of Satan.” - Ellen G. White
God’s Word: “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways” – Psalm 91:11
By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2016, Devotional E-Mail
DEVOTIONS IN HEBREWS