By Jena Kleinpeter

Ps 34:4, 7 I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him.

This Psalm has always been special to me. Its significance has been present at the most difficult times in my life. Years ago, my mother was sick and in the hospital. The responsibility of caring for her was heavy on my heart. I did take time off for the surgery including the day after but it became clear that this would be longer, and more difficult than expected. After days of traveling to the hospital early enough to speak to the doctors, spending time with my mother, and then getting home to take care of my family, I was exhausted. Did you have to go to work after spending time with your mother? If so, I would include that information.

One evening, while driving home after caring for my mother, I was dangerously tired. As I took my exit off the highway, I remember seeing several cars ahead of me. I slowed down and saw that a car in front of me wanted to get into the other lane and had completely stopped. I cried out, “Jesus, Jesus.” There was no time for anything else. The car moved some and there was enough room on the left between the car and the curb for a small car. Because I drove a van, it was impossible to avoid hitting the other car. The next thing I saw was a clear lane and me, driving to the light to turn left. Did I fall asleep at the wheel? I’m not sure. However, when I sat at the light and looked there were no cars in front, to the side or behind me. Cars were everywhere else. I know, without a doubt, God sent angels of protection to get me safely home.

I went to my room and closed the door to pray and thank God for keeping me through the last few days and praised him for the surrounding angels during this difficult time in my life. The next morning when I arrived for my mom’s discharge, she said that God nudged her to pray for me after I left. She prayed for God to help me get home safely. After that, there was never a doubt in my mind about the power of prayer or that there are angels all around us.

Jena Kleinpeter‘s Word of the Day is a work in progress. She hopes to publish a 365 day devotional on the book of Psalms. Visit https://jenakleinpeter.com/ for more devotions in Psalms.