“Let us therefore COME BOLDLY to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb 4:16) (emphasis mine).
God is so interested in our communion with Him, that He was willing to pay an inestimable price for it through the death of His only begotten son: “And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split,”(Matt 27:50-51). “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh,” (Heb 10:19-20).
It is in view of the foregoing that God gives us all an open invitation to His throne room. He yearns for our time of intimacy with Him. No amount of effort expended on the routines of service to God will make up for an absence of fellowship with Him in prayer and meditation on the word. Church history is replete with the undesirable outcomes of people who went that route.
The verb “come” in the main scriptural text above clearly indicates an invitation and a command. Our ability to obtain mercy and find grace is predicated on our coming to the throne of grace. God is not a respecter of persons, those who meet His conditions enjoy His provision. This implies that those who ignore this invitation forfeit the help of God.
Moreover, God encourages us to come boldly. This is important. In as much as this invitation to the throne of grace is great, greater still is the attitude in which we are to come: boldly. The boldness with which we come before God in the secret place is the boldness with which we will stand before men in the public.
However, there is a “therefore” (Heb 4:16) on the basis of which we can come boldly to the throne of grace: Jesus the Son of God, our great High Priest. “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (Heb 4:15). Therefore we should approach the throne of grace through Jesus our great High Priest, “in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.” (Eph 3:12). Then we will obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. “Give us help from trouble, For the help of man is useless.” (Ps 60:11). Remember, “My [your] help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.” (Ps 121:2). Divine help has no match. Therefore, come boldly. Shalom.
