This morning as I opened my Bible app, the suggested verse for the day caught my eye, and I thought it worthwhile for some real reflection. I have included some of the surrounding verses for context. Here are the verses - Hebrews 4:12-16 NIV:
[12] “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. [13] Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”
[14] “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. [15] 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. [16] 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.”
The last verse is the one that really grabbed my attention this morning, specifically the fact that apparently we need to approach God’s throne so that we may receive mercy. This seems the opposite of what my flesh and human logic would want to do… I would prefer to stay far away from any potential judgment. I don’t want the Lord to see me, or see my weakness.
I don’t think I am alone in this, for we have natural fight and flight responses to things that threaten our lives. The preceding verses speak of how all of our lives are uncovered and laid bare before God, and I believe that if God were to truly look at my life that He would sentence me to eternal judgment.
I am not wrong in my belief, except for the fact that Jesus gave His life for me, and substituted Himself for me, paying for all of my sins! He is the only reason I am not judged! He is also the only reason that I can approach God’s throne in confidence! He knows my exact condition! He knows my weakness, and yet He chose me!
I am reminded of a few verses from Paul’s letter to the Romans 5:8-11 NIV:
[8] “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
[9] Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! [10] For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! [11] Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”
I have been reconciled to God through Jesus’ sacrifice. It is only because of Him that I have any life, any hope, any ability to stand, and any confidence in approaching the Throne. Paul writes also that our lives are now hidden in Christ (Col 3:3) so in a very real sense when we are approaching the Throne, we do so from within Christ.
I am reminded of some additional verses found later in Paul’s letter the Romans 8:31-35 NIV:
[31] “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? [32] He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? [33] Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. [34] Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. [35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?”
Putting this all together, while we were still sinners, Jesus paid for us, and our lives are now hidden in Him. When we approach the throne, we do so fully aware that it is only through Him that we may do so! When we do so, we find He is sitting next to the Father interceding for us! He is not sitting there bringing charges against us, He is sitting there on our behalf, telling the Father how much He loves us, how much He paid for us, and how He has chosen us!
How could the Father extend anything but mercy to us?
Therefore, 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!!
We need mercy, and we need help and both are readily available to us at the Throne! Mercy is best understood in the face of the alternative, and when we come to the Throne, we should be fully aware of what we should receive, if not for Jesus!
The Good News is that this mercy is available to all of us who would believe, to all who put their faith in Jesus, the only one who has made a way!
Even more so, not only do we receive mercy, but we receive real help in the grace that is poured out on us!
Amen and Amen!
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