When my family was young and I was a young father and pastor, finding a quiet time and place to study could be a challenge. As my children grew older, when I was in my small study at home, they understood I was at work on my messages for the church.
But it was different for the younger children, as my wife pointed out many times. They could burst into my little study anytime they wanted. Later, my church office staff learned that when my wife called, she had priority over who was in my office or what I was working on.
The Lord helped me see this is the access we have Him, even when we're older. We can burst into the Lord's presence whenever and whatever the need.
The door is never closed to the Father's presence for those of us who know Him as our Father. He always has time for us and gives us His full attention.
Scripture
We have a great high priest. He has gone up into the heavens. He is Jesus the Son of God. So let us hold firmly to what we say we believe.
We have a high priest who can feel it when we are weak and hurting. We have a high priest who has been tempted in every way, just as we are. But he did not sin.
So let us boldly approach the throne of grace. Then we will receive mercy. We will find grace to help us when we need it.
(Hebrews 4:14-16 NIRV) [Context– Hebrews 4]
Key phrase— So let us boldly approach the throne of grace
Digging Deeper...
Review the Scriptures above as you answer the following questions
What encouragement is given for us to "hold firmly" to what we believe?
What do you think a person needs to do to "hold firmly" to their faith?
In what way are we encouraged to come to God?
What are we assured of when we come to God's throne of grace?
Reflection...
Here is great assurance! Jesus is able to understand our weaknesses because He has been tempted as we have, yet never sinned. He is stronger than our weaknesses, because He overcame them all through His death on the cross and His resurrection.
The weaknesses we struggle with are the consequence of sin and our selfish nature. Since He was not overpowered by sin but conquered it through the cross, He can relate to us in our struggles and temptations.
God is able to relate to us in our weaknesses because Jesus was both fully human and God in nature. He can handle our deepest needs and struggles, and He is approachable at any time.
The Lord desires to help us overcome sin, but we need to be willing to come to Him in our time of need. We are assured of this full access because of His grace.
We are exhorted to come boldly before Him to receive His mercy and grace whenever we need it. I find myself bursting into His presence a lot. I hope you'll do so as well.
Make it personal...
Read through the Scripture text again as you consider and answer these questions
Do you have a hard time accepting that Jesus can relate to your struggles and weaknesses?
Do you understand how Jesus is able to understand our weaknesses even though He never sinned?
Have you experienced the Lord's grace at any point in your life?
Have you learned to come boldly into God's presence when you need His mercy or grace?
These verses are such a great assurance, I hope you'll experience it for yourself each and every day!
Here's a free introduction for the book of Hebrews— Intro to studying Hebrews