In his letter to the Hebrews, the writer exhorts his readers: “Come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16, KJV). The Amplified Bible puts it this way: “Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in times of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment].” Most of us know this verse, which has served us well in our prayer lives. It is wonderful to know that we do not have to feel intimidated or afraid to approach the throne of grace. Not only are we invited to approach it boldly, but we are assured that “we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in times of need” when we come.
In reflecting on some of the reasons the child of God may feel a sense of fear or reluctance to approach God, it occurred to me that this is often a direct result of our awareness of our shortcomings and failures. At least this has been the case in my own life. Despite our best intentions, we are not always where we long to be in our walk with Him, and there are times when feelings of guilt and shame overwhelm the words “come boldly.” We are in good company. Paul, the apostle, tells us of his experience: “I delight in the law of God after the inward man: but I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am!” (Romans 7:22-24, KJV). Lost in our struggle is the realization that God knows us exactly for who we are, and despite what He knows about us and what He sees in us, He still says, “Come.”
In looking closer at our reference text, the writer makes such an argument. He writes, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (vv. 12–15, KJV). The realization that “all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do” serves to demonstrate that not only are we invited to come boldly, but we can come as we are.
Having been tempted as we are being tempted, Christ understands our humanity. He understands our failures. David said of Him, as God, “He knows our [mortal] frame; He remembers that we are [merely] dust” (Psalm 103:14, AMP). There is nothing about us that will surprise Him; nothing that we can tell Him that He doesn’t already know. Therefore, “Come boldly.” It is an invitation I gladly accept, one I find powerfully liberating. How about you?
