THRONE OF GRACE

Hebrews 4:14-16

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:14-16

Not only is Jesus our Savior and King, and Lord, but He has also become our great High Priest. Jesus is God's anointed High Priest, through Whom we have been made fit to approach the grand and awesome throne of the Most High God. The cares of the world today are causing so many people to give up and walk away from the faith.

Believe it or not, this is not the time to walk away from God, but the time to press into Him through prayer and His Word. Four words in this brief passage sum up all it has to say: "the throne of grace." A throne speaks of authority and power, while grace conveys the idea of sympathy and understanding. These two thoughts are combined in Jesus Christ. He holds infinite power yet is in complete and utter sympathy with us.

All Christians struggle with two crucial areas that will make or break the Christian life: perseverance in times of trial, and prayer. As you know, they are connected. A vital prayer life is essential to endure trials. In other words, to endure difficult times, I need to build my confidence in God. Prayer is essential to building my faith. But what if we don't have the confidence God hears my prayers? What if we really struggle with prayer? That is where the writer of Hebrews can give us encouragement. He shares the connection between my walk as a Christian and my talk with God.

Prayer is our supply line to God in the battle. His abundant, sustaining grace flows to us through prayer. My friend and Pastor Keanan Bovie states: "Prayer requires time, effort, energy, and perseverance." Bovie asks this question: "Do you know that Christians have a spiritual nuclear weapon? It's prayer. But if you do not strive in prayer, it's the comparison of a nuke vs. a snap popper." I believe prayer is so vital, the enemy tries to sever that supply line. When we suffer, the enemy often whispers, "God doesn't care about you, and He isn't answering. Why waste your time with these worthless prayers?" It's easy to get discouraged and quit praying, which cuts us off from the very help we need.

We have a great High Priest. We do not need anyone to mediate between God and us as Christ is God and we can go directly to Him. We cannot claim our own salvation, work for it, inherit it, or earn it in any way or fashion. Rather, it is a gift purchased through extreme suffering by our Lord Jesus Christ, the One true God Who cares for us and intercedes on our behalf. He gives us mercy and undeserved redemption. Thus, we can trust and cling to Him with our trust and obedience, for He cares for us and hears us.

He fully understands who we are, our situation, opportunities, and our weakness in temptations, as He faced them for us too. Yes, indeed since we do have a great High Priest Who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. Hallelujah. Praise His Holy Name.

Glory!!!

Father, thank You for this day and for Your plans and purposes for us. Lord, open the windows of heaven and shine down Your abundant blessings upon my friends and family today. Lord, we can scarcely take in that God Himself should come as our Savior and High Priest, so we can approach You on Your great and gracious throne of grace.

Lord, keep us ever mindful of this amazing privilege. Lord, open our ears to hear Your voice, and cleanse our hearts to pray into Your will. Lord, use my friends to have mercy for a lost and dying world that needs to acknowledge Jesus as their Kinsman-Redeemer.

Father, we love You. Amen.