These are some of my favorite verses: \u201cFor we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need\u201d (Hebrews 4:15-16, ESV).<\/i><\/p>\n
The throne of grace is the place of prayer. Aren\u2019t you glad that God\u2019s throne \u2014 for those of us who believe \u2014 is a throne of grace? It is not a throne of judgment or beatings. No. Grace is God\u2019s unmerited favor and love in action. The place of prayer is the place of receiving these blessings that he has promised us. That\u2019s where he calls us.<\/p>\n
Remember how the book of James says, \u201cYou do not have, because you do not ask\u201d (James 4:2)? <\/i>Imagine having written on your tombstone, \u201cThey lived without what God would\u2019ve given them because they didn\u2019t take the time to just ask him.\u201d There are some things that God would freely give us, but we won\u2019t ask him. Instead, we got all depressed. We called Auntie Marie and all our friends and complained.<\/p>\n
What exactly did we miss out on? What does God give us at the throne of grace? First, he gives us mercy. Why do we need that? The simple answer is because we mess up. I do things I shouldn\u2019t do; I say things I shouldn\u2019t say, and I don\u2019t do those things I should be doing. For these things, I ask for God\u2019s mercy, and that\u2019s when he doesn\u2019t give me what I deserve. We all need mercy every single day, then we won\u2019t live in fear and condemnation. Second, he gives us grace to help us just in the nick of time. God wants to give us things we don\u2019t deserve.<\/p>\n
Most of us are tit-for-tat people. \u201cYou do good to me, so I\u2019ll do good for you. You hurt me, and I\u2019ll hurt you.\u201d This is why we struggle to understand God\u2019s mercy and grace, and he\u2019s a good God, full of both. Ask God to forgive your sins, and ask him to give you want you need today.<\/p>\n
Most of all, let\u2019s ask God to help us have more quality time at the throne of mercy and grace!<\/p>\n