50 Days of Prayer – Day 50
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“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 4:16 (NIV)
Under the Old Covenant, before Christ was crucified and rose again, only the High Priest could enter the most holy place called the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle or the Temple, and that only once a year to make atonement for the sins of the people. The people were excluded from access to the Divine Presence of God that rested on the Mercy Seat of the Ark of the Covenant. That all changed, though, when Jesus died and the veil of the Temple that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies was torn in two from top to bottom! Christ’s death for our sins made atonement once and for all and opened the way to everyone to have access to a holy God through His sacrifice! Now, sinners are no longer commanded to keep their distance in fear and trembling but are invited to draw near to God with confidence! Praise God!
The writer of Hebrews says, “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence. …” How is that possible? Because His throne is a throne of grace! Grace is God’s undeserved favor! It means “God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense – G.R.A.C.E.” Jesus provided the sacrifice that offers forgiveness to all who come to God in Christ! We may come with confidence that He will hear our prayer, forgive our sin, and show us MERCY instead of judgment! Look at the rest of this verse – “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 trials and struggles we experience in our lives should draw us near to God’s throne in prayer rather than draw us away from Him. We all need His grace and mercy to help us in our time of need. That’s why prayer should always be our first choice instead of our last chance! He is available 24/7 to offer us help right when we need it the most!
I love the way the Amplified Bible puts this passage. Read it slowly and consider each phrase:
“Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God's unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it].”
This passage reminds me of the name for God that I like the most – “Jehovah-in-the-Nick-of-Time!” His help is always appropriate and well-timed, coming just when we need it most! Praise God! All we have to do is ask in prayer!
As we conclude our 50 Days of Prayer study, I can’t think of a better way than with this promise and encouragement to keep on approaching God’s throne of grace in prayer every day! Come with confidence knowing that God has an illimitable supply of mercy and grace to help us in our time of need.