Devotion: Hebrews 4:16

Hebrews 4:16 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. 

It is funny how just a few days ago this was a supporting reference that was provided for the day’s verse. Obviously I forget which verses I have selected for the plan each month and don’t really remember until it comes time to actually write out the day’s devotion. That was obviously the case here. But it also goes to show how Scripture works and more importantly how God works. He has provided us with everything we need in the Bible and from the Holy Spirit within us, and the Spirit is guiding us toward those answers we need to address the issues in our lives. This was one of those important verses to help us with battling anxiety.

Before we get back to the application portion of this verse and the anxiety in our lives, let’s take a brief look at a few other things.

Let us approach God’s throne of grace… What is the throne of grace and where is it?

In the Old Testament we didn’t see it called a throne. We see judgment and mercy at the Ark of the Covenant. People would bring their atoning sacrifices to the Temple. They did not approach the Ark, they approached the Temple and presented things to a priest who interceded on their behalf.

The Bible gives many references in the New Testament to God’s throne (Matthew 5:34, Hebrews 4:16, Hebews 12:2, Matthew 23:22, etc. plus others throughout the book of Revelation.). Typically the throne is usually associated with God’s judgment from heaven. It is where the believer can receive grace and mercy and where the unbelievers are condemned.

How can we approach it? While we are still here and the Second coming hasn’t happened yet, we approach through prayer and worship. That is how we enter His Presence. We do not need someone to go before God for us on our behalf. We have Jesus to thank for opening the door to allow us to approach the throne of grace. Without His sacrifice on our behalf, we would still need to be presenting atoning sacrifices before the Temple. But by grace we have been saved and can now approach directly, as Hebrews 4:16 says.

Back to Hebrews 4:16 now. In our times of need, our times of intense attack or struggles with anxiety, we can turn to God and see His aide. We can go directly to Him and trust He understands. Jesus experienced life as we do. He walked the earth. He faced temptation. He experienced grief. He was oppressed. He was mocked. He was beaten and He was killed. He knows what we are feeling because while He is fully God, He was also fully human. And because He knows firsthand, He knows how to provide us with peace and comfort.

Present your anxieties to him boldly and with confidence. Approach the throne of grace and lay those struggles at His feet. He is waiting for you now.

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