Like ministering angels …

In our greatest hour of need, the worst possible response would be, “No help is coming.”

That was the cryptic message deciphered just a few years ago from a plea made during the Civil War. Barnett Gushin tells the story …

A Civil War Era, corked glass vial, less than 2 inches in length, containing a mysterious coded note sat undisturbed on a shelf of the Museum of the Confederacy since 1896. Catherine M. Wright, the museum’s collections manager, could no longer keep her curiosity at bay. With the help of a local art conservator, a retired CIA code breaker, and a Navy cryptologist, the vial has now been safely opened and its cryptic message deciphered. Dated July 4, 1863, the message was sent from a Confederate commander in response to a plea for assistance from Lt. General John C. Pemberton.

Pemberton was doing his best to defend the besieged city of Vicksburg, Mississippi, against the press of Northern troops. Should the city be lost, it would mean the beginning of the end of the war for the South. Ms. Wright summarized the message of the note sent to General Pemberton with these ominous words, “I can’t help you. I have no troops, I have no supplies, I have no way to get over there.” On that very day Pemberton surrendered to Grant’s army.

All of us have known times in our lives when we were so tested, so tried, so put under pressure, that relief was absolutely essential. Even Jesus experienced this …

“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil … Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus,” Matthew 4:1, 11.

“He walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, ‘Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.’ Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him,” Luke 22:41-43.

As joint heirs with Christ and citizens of the kingdom of heaven, it is our privilege and opportunity to come alongside others and minister to them in their time of need. That’s partly what it means to obey God’s command to love each other …

“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other,” John 13:34.

“Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too,” Philippians 2:4.

“Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted …” Ephesians 4:32a.

“If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion — how can God’s love be in that person? Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions,” 1 John 3:17-18.

“But those who won’t care for their relatives, especially those in their own household, have denied the true faith. Such people are worse than unbelievers,” 1 Timothy 5:8.

“Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ,” Galatians 6:2.

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith,” Galatians 6:9-10.

Like ministering angels, we have the opportunity to love and care for people who need relief, whether from spiritual or material troubles and trials. This is what citizens of heaven do for others!

Is this what you do?

Scotty