Daily Devotional February 18 - Help In Time Of Need

 "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16

Sounds like an invitation to me. Boldly doesn't mean cocky, nor does it mean foolishly or inappropriately. But it does mean with enthusiasm and vigor, heartily. It also means without reservation, without apprehension and without doubt. You know, God knows that you have needs and that you need help. God made a way for you. Come boldly to the throne of grace. God is merciful and reveals that mercy as we approach Him with truth.

The reason this invitation is so important is that it comes with a promise, i. e., "help in time of need." Many people come part way, they mosey up the trail toward the throne of grace; they put on like they stopped by for a chat with God; they talk big like they brought it to God's attention, but this is just not the kind of problem that God deals with, but for whatever reason they don't come to the throne of grace, much less, boldly. I think a lot of people think of prayer as their eternal complaint department, where they either just moan and groan about life (as if God were not really there listening), or they utter out last minute requests based on poorly devised plans, (plans that never considered God's way, plans that did not consult with God before jumping in.) Either way you can't come boldly to the throne of grace with that kind of thinking.

This throne is important, in that this is where God wants us to come. Modernity has allowed a lessor way to run rampart and ruined any chance for man to see his inability without the hand of God. Men and women today want to integrate God into their devices in a way that God must ask us and come to our throne if there is to be any real reconciliation. If history has taught us anything, it is that mankind, unchecked by the indwelling Holy Spirit, brings the things to God to ruin about every two thousand years. Where does that put us today?