The Throne of Grace
Hebrews 4:15-16 (NLT)
15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
Reflection
Have you ever said to someone, “you just don’t understand”? Maybe it was a time that you were going through something difficult and you were trying to express your pain or frustration. That person most likely was trying to help you or make you feel better, but ultimately, they just didn’t understand. They probably had never experienced what you were going through and therefore, they were not able to fully grasp the emotions that you were feeling.
The majority of the time, people may not fully understand what we are going through, but Jesus does. Jesus, who is fully God and fully man, came into our world and experienced humanity. He felt the pain that we feel. He experienced the temptations that we are faced with. He felt the emotions that we experience and struggle with. Jesus understands.
Knowing that truth brings me so much comfort. And yet I know that He doesn’t want us to just sit in the truth that He understands. He doesn’t want us to just push away the feelings and move forward. He wants us to come to Him. Verse 16 says, “let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God.” Pray boldly, knowing that He hears you and He understands you. When tough times come into our life, we need to go to the throne of God and lay our burdens down at His feet. He wants us to do that! By coming to Him with our trials and our pain, He will give us what we need in that moment. He will give us the peace that we need and the compassion that we long for. He alone understands.
Action Steps
1. When trials come, do you find yourself going to friends and looking for comfort there instead of going to God with your burdens? While going to trusted friends and family is not a bad thing, make sure you are going to the One who truly understands what you are going through first!
2. Listen to the song “This is Our God” by Phil Wickham and reflect on who our God truly is and what He has done for us!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPDzQyk76PQ&ab_channel=PhilWickhamVEVO
Prayer
God, I am so thankful that You understand. It brings me comfort knowing that no matter what I am going through, You have been there and You go before me and know exactly why I am going through the trial. Help me to always remember that You are there and You want me to come to You in every situation, good or bad. You are the One I always want to run to when life gets hard. Thank You for loving me and always understanding. Amen.
15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
Reflection
Have you ever said to someone, “you just don’t understand”? Maybe it was a time that you were going through something difficult and you were trying to express your pain or frustration. That person most likely was trying to help you or make you feel better, but ultimately, they just didn’t understand. They probably had never experienced what you were going through and therefore, they were not able to fully grasp the emotions that you were feeling.
The majority of the time, people may not fully understand what we are going through, but Jesus does. Jesus, who is fully God and fully man, came into our world and experienced humanity. He felt the pain that we feel. He experienced the temptations that we are faced with. He felt the emotions that we experience and struggle with. Jesus understands.
Knowing that truth brings me so much comfort. And yet I know that He doesn’t want us to just sit in the truth that He understands. He doesn’t want us to just push away the feelings and move forward. He wants us to come to Him. Verse 16 says, “let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God.” Pray boldly, knowing that He hears you and He understands you. When tough times come into our life, we need to go to the throne of God and lay our burdens down at His feet. He wants us to do that! By coming to Him with our trials and our pain, He will give us what we need in that moment. He will give us the peace that we need and the compassion that we long for. He alone understands.
Action Steps
1. When trials come, do you find yourself going to friends and looking for comfort there instead of going to God with your burdens? While going to trusted friends and family is not a bad thing, make sure you are going to the One who truly understands what you are going through first!
2. Listen to the song “This is Our God” by Phil Wickham and reflect on who our God truly is and what He has done for us!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPDzQyk76PQ&ab_channel=PhilWickhamVEVO
Prayer
God, I am so thankful that You understand. It brings me comfort knowing that no matter what I am going through, You have been there and You go before me and know exactly why I am going through the trial. Help me to always remember that You are there and You want me to come to You in every situation, good or bad. You are the One I always want to run to when life gets hard. Thank You for loving me and always understanding. Amen.
Recent
Archive
2024
January
My Only AimRun to WinSetting Aside the Good for the BestDon’t Lose HeartFight the Good FightReflecting on Finishing Well…Not The Year But LifeLook UpPurposed in My HeartA Life of PrayerTo the Left or to the Right Seeking Godly CounselThe Word of the LordReflecting on Looking UpLooking BackGod is FaithfulSpiritual EyesRememberWorthy of PraiseThrough All GenerationsReflecting on Looking BackLook DownMoments of TruthThink It ThroughGod-Centered DecisionsLive Without Regrets Heartbreaking HindsightReflecting on Looking DownLooking ForwardA Solemn WarningSeeking God’s WillLearning What Is Good
February
Nothing Is HiddenAt The CrossroadsReflecting on Looking ForwardOpen Your EyesConsider Your WaysLord, Open Our Eyes!Seeing the UnseenKeeping Our Eyes on JesusTrusting God AloneGod Is With UsReflecting on Open your Eyes The Calling of GodIf it Pleases the KingFollow MeHere Am IFuture BlessingsWhat Do You Want Me To Do?Reflecting On The Calling of GodNot Coming DownWhen Adversity Arrives Focused on the CallingThe Armor of GodThe Voice of OppositionGod’s Glory on DisplayReflecting On Not Coming DownThe Principle of “And”Prayer and PetitionEvaluate and Get StartedPray and FightLiving with PurposeWork and Protect
March
Faith and WorksReflecting on The Principle of “And”Bad Timing is Perfect TimingConsider Your WaysThe Richness of JesusSacrificial GivingThe Willing HeartThe Blessings of ObedienceReflecting on Bad Timing is Perfect TimingLegacySetting a Godly ExampleThe Next GenerationHanding Down FaithfulnessGod’s WisdomTeach Your Children WellReflecting on LegacyEveryone Did Their PartUnited With PurposeStaying the CourseWalk In UnityEmbrace My RoleAm I accountable?Reflecting on Everyone Doing Their PartClarity to PainPraying through the PainThe Throne of GraceCasting Your CaresRedeeming Our PainRestoredReview: Reflecting on Clarity to PainThe Cross Brings Clarity of God’s Love
2 Comments
Such a great reminder! "Make sure you are going to the One who truly understands what you are going through first!"
- AMEN!
John 2:23-25