Have you ever felt like you did not deserve to go to the throne of grace, like you weren’t good enough to be there?
It’s a holy place–one you’d think only God and Jesus could attend, but the Bible says it’s a place of grace, and that means acceptance and approval are waiting for us at God’s throne. (Because Jesus is there who understands our human sin dilemma. He’s lived in our skin.)
“Let us then approach the 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.
The fact is, we’re not “good” enough to go to the throne. But that’s the point. Grace can’t be earned because it’s always a gift, yet many of us feel we need to work for it. We’v got to be good enough. But . . . “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” Romans 8:1.
And the scripture promises in Hebrews 4:16 that we can go to this throne of grace with confidence! The Greek word doesn’t mean “full of faith.” Instead, this ancient word, Paressia, means “freedom in speaking all one thinks, confidence or boldness.”
Now what do you think about this throne of grace? Not only can we be present there, we can give God a piece of our mind. He knows it all anyway, right? Might as well be honest. Lay it all out there. . . . so we may receive mercy.
My friends, this isn’t just any old mercy. This mercy (Eleos) is active compassion. It’s the Greek equivalent to chesed which is one of my favorite words ever. Chesed is merciful, gracious, and acts of loving- kindness involving a covenant or relationship. So, God’s mercy at the throne is not just the absence of getting what we deserve, but it’s a mercy that can help us now.
Wait to you see what this word means. We think of “help” as God fixing our problems. Which He can do. But the Greek word translated as help has a very interesting background. Boethia referred to a rope or chain for “frapping” a vessel. (Complete Word Study Dictionary on my E-Sword app.)
Frapping is a term used in ancient times. Sailors would “frap” a ship by wrapping a rope or chain around the hull of the boat to help it stay together during a storm. The procedure strengthened the ship. It held it together.
Do you need strength during a storm? Go to the throne of acceptance and approval where we can be honest with God, and where He will wrap us up in His love through the crashing waves.
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We won’t fall apart.
All because He is a God of grace who wants to wrap us up in His strength.
How I pray you believe every word of Hebrew 4:16. Every word.
Digging Deep,
Andy
This is the teaching on Hebrews 4:16 on Facebook Live! If you’re not a Facebook person, you can now watch the videos on You Tube. My channel is Wordsbyandylee. :)
