Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)
Jesus, in His High Priestly office, offers a standing invitation to believers in the verse above. It is an invitation that we must often take advantage of because of our weakness and regular failings. God knows what kind of material we are made of and that we are weak, and He opened a door for us to recognize it, as well as our dependence on Him to make it through to the end.
It is unfortunate that so many believers, in moments of weakness or stumbling, run way from the Lord instead of to Him. This happens when we become proud of our spiritual growth, our knowledge of the Scriptures, or position in the church. The truth is that we will need God’s grace and mercy right up to our final day on earth. “He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)
The invitation to the Throne is extended for when we fail, not so much for when we have been strong and victorious, because it says “help in a time of need.” And, blessed be His name, we don’t have to come before Him crawling in defeat, but boldly in faith. We know that He who made the invitation, will give us the grace and mercy that we need; He knows about our struggles before we enter the Throne Room anyway.
Our faith in God’s character gives us the confidence to come before Him boldly. We know that He loved us when we were still sinners, and that He loves us even more now that we responded to His call.
For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted. (Hebrews 2:18)
For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:18)
Jesus knows what it is to be tempted, as He was also tempted. He endured to full pressure of temptation, all the way to the best that the devil had to offer, yet He did not fail. That is why He has sympathy with us! His love has never failed and He promised to never leave or forsake us.
Notice that His Throne is called “the throne of grace.” It is not a throne of judgement, but of grace. Grace, looking into the meaning of the original word charis, means favour. God’s favour is His goodness given without any merit from our side; it is a gift that is based purely on God’s love for us, even in times when we least deserve it, as the verse above says, a time of need.
Do you need favour from God? Do you feel inadequate to fulfill God’s purpose for your life? Go to the throne of grace, boldly, in faith, and leave rejoicing knowing if you ask according to His will – responding to His invitation – you will receive what you have asked for. (See 1 John 5:14,15)
But there is more available at the throne of grace, as the invitation includes mercy. While grace is to receive what we do not deserve, mercy is to not receive what we do deserve. Mercy, or eleos in the original language, means kindness or good will towards the miserable and the afflicted, joined with a desire to help them, and readiness to help those in trouble. When we deserve punishment for our misdeeds, we can go to the throne of grace and obtain mercy from God. God is not seated on the Throne of Judgement yet, as He now sits on the Throne of grace, and He invites us to come boldly to receive mercy so that we can go and live productive lives to His glory.
It is in the times that we need grace and mercy that our accuser, the devil, tries to send us running away from God, just as Adam and Eve did after they fell in sin. But now we know that, instead of running away from Him, we can approach Him, and tell Him our need.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
Do you need mercy? Have you stumbled in weakness or disobedience? There is mercy at the throne of grace. God will not reject you, but, instead, cleanse you when you run to Him.
The invitation to come before the throne of grace is a standing invitation, meaning it will remain valid until the last day. And there is no limit to number of visits that you can make there. Grace and mercy are not cheap since Jesus paid for it with His life, but it is free. It is not be abused, but take advantage of it while you can!
