Tag Archives: throne of grace

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread — Confident Access

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Our Daily Bread

Hebrews 4:14-16

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

Mont Saint-Michel is a tidal island located about a half-mile off the coast of Normandy, France. For centuries it has been the site of an abbey and monastery that has attracted religious pilgrims. Until the construction of a causeway, it was notorious for its dangerous access that resulted in the death of some pilgrims. At low tide it is encompassed by sand banks, and at high tide it is surrounded by water. Accessing the island was a cause for fear.

Access to God for Old Testament Jews was also a cause for fear. When God thundered on Mt. Sinai, the people feared approaching Him (Ex. 19:10-16). And when access to God was granted through the high priest, specific instructions had to be followed (Lev. 16:1-34). Accidentally touching the ark of the covenant, which represented the holy presence of God, would result in death (see 2 Sam. 6:7-8).

But because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we can now approach God without fear. God’s penalty for sin has been satisfied, and we are invited into God’s presence: “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace” (Heb. 4:16).

Because of Jesus we can come to God through prayer anywhere, anytime. —Dennis Fisher

Then boldly let our faith address

God’s throne of grace and power,

There to obtain delivering grace

In every needy hour. —Watts

Through prayer, we have instant access to our Father.

Bible in a year: Psalms 49-50; Romans 1

Insight

For Jesus to be able to identify with and to save sinful humanity, it was necessary for Him to be fully human. Earlier, the writer of Hebrews affirmed that Jesus was fully “flesh and blood” like us (2:14 NIV). Here in verse 15, he further affirmed that because He has been through suffering and temptation, Jesus knows what it is like when we suffer and are tempted. Jesus is therefore qualified and able to help us (Heb. 2:17-18; 5:1-2). But in order for Him to make propitiation for sins, Jesus had to be “without sin” (v.15, also 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 7:26-27; 1 John 3:5).

 

Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie – Never beyond His Reach

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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. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. —Hebrews 4:15–16

Awhile back I met a man named Michael Franzese, who was once involved with the Colombo crime family. In fact, in the mid-1980s he was dubbed one of the fifty most wealthy and powerful mafia bosses. At his peak he was making $6 to $8 million a week. Then he ended up in prison.

While there, Michael came to Christ. A guard had given him a Bible, and he started reading it. He told me that he listened to our radio broadcast, A New Beginning, every day in his prison cell. Much of that time he was in a place called The Hole, which he said was even worse than solitary confinement. But it was there he would listen to the Word of God, and when he had light, he would read the Word of God. The Lord changed him, and he did something unthinkable for someone in his situation: he walked away from the mob.

Now he devotes his time to speaking and bringing encouragement to others. Here was someone who was in the mob, and the Lord got hold of him. There in that prison cell, the Lord came to Michael Franzese.

There are different kinds of prisons that people live in today. Some endure the prison of isolation in a hospital bed or convalescent home. Others may find themselves in the prison cell of mourning because of an unexpected death of a loved one.

Yet Hebrews 4:15–16 says, “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.”

Whatever pain or prison you are experiencing, the Lord is there, and He understands what you are going through. You can come to him “and find grace to help in time of need.”

 

Alistair Begg

Alistair Begg – Freedom

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For freedom Christ has set us free.

Galatians 5:1

This “freedom” is established in heaven’s charter-the Bible. Here is a choice passage, believer: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.”1 Here is another: “The mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you.”2

These Scriptures set you free in believing. You are a welcome guest at this table of promises. Scripture is a never-failing treasury filled with boundless stores of grace. It is the bank of heaven; you may draw from it as much as you wish, without any hindrance.

Come in faith; you are welcome to all the covenant blessings. There is not a promise in the Word that will be withheld. In the deepest tribulations let this freedom comfort you; overwhelmed by waves of distress let it cheer you; when sorrows surround you let it be your solace. This is your Father’s love-token; you are free in it at all times.

You are also given free access to the throne of grace. It is the believer’s privilege to have access at all times to his heavenly Father. Whatever our desires, our difficulties, our wants, we are at liberty to spread them all before Him. It does not matter how much we may have sinned, we can ask and expect pardon. No matter how poor we are, we may plead His promise that He will provide everything we need. We have permission to approach His throne at all times-in midnight’s darkest hour or in noontide’s most burning heat.

Exercise your right, believer, and enjoy this privilege. You are set free to all that is treasured up in Christ-wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. It does not matter what your need is, for there is abundant supply in Christ, and it is there for you. What a “freedom” is yours! Freedom from condemnation, freedom to the promises, freedom to the throne of grace, and at last freedom to enter heaven!

1Isaiah 43:2

2Isaiah 54:10

 

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Alistair Begg – A Prayer

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Save, O Lord.  Psalm 12:1

This prayer is remarkable for its brevity, but it may be offered humbly, regularly, and profitably. David was saddened that the numbers of the faithful were so small, and therefore he lifted up his heart in supplication: When the creature failed, he flew to the Creator. He evidently felt his own weakness, or he would not have cried for help; but at the same time he obviously intended to give himself for the cause of truth, for the cry “save” is inapplicable where we do not exert ourselves.

Note the directness, clearness of perception, and distinctness of utterance in this petition of few words, distinguishing it from the long, rambling outpourings of certain professors. The psalmist runs straight toward his God with a well-considered prayer; he knows what he is seeking and where to seek it. Lord, teach us to pray in the same direct manner.

The occasions when prayer is needed are constant. In providential afflictions how necessary prayer is for tested believers who find all other helpers failing them. Students in doctrinal difficulties will find help by lifting up this cry of “Save, O LORD” to the Holy Spirit, the great Teacher. Spiritual warriors in inward conflicts may send to the throne of grace for reinforcements, and this will be a model for their request. Those who are engaged in heavenly toil may in this way obtain grace in time of need. Seeking sinners, in doubts and alarms, may offer up the same simple supplication; in fact, in all these cases, times, and places this will serve the turn of needy souls. “Save, O LORD” will suit us in living and dying, suffering or working, rejoicing or sorrowing. In Him our help is found; let us not be slow to cry to Him.

The answer to the prayer is certain, if it is sincerely offered through Jesus. The Lord’s character assures us that He will not leave His people; His relationship as Father and Husband guarantee us His help. God’s gift of Jesus is a pledge of every good thing; and His sure promise stands, “Fear not, I will help you.”

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Charles Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening

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Morning   “Do as thou hast said.” / 2 Samuel 7:25

God’s promises were never meant to be thrown aside as waste paper; he intended

that they should be used. God’s gold is not miser’s money, but is minted to be

traded with. Nothing pleases our Lord better than to see his promises put in

circulation; he loves to see his children bring them up to him, and say,

“Lord, do as thou hast said.” We glorify God when we plead his promises. Do

you think that God will be any the poorer for giving you the riches he has

promised? Do you dream that he will be any the less holy for giving holiness

to you? Do you imagine he will be any the less pure for washing you from your

sins? He has said “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord:

though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be

red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Faith lays hold upon the promise of

pardon, and it does not delay, saying, “This is a precious promise, I wonder

if it be true?” but it goes straight to the throne with it, and pleads, “Lord,

here is the promise, Do as thou hast said.'” Our Lord replies, “Be it unto

thee even as thou wilt.” When a Christian grasps a promise, if he does not

take it to God, he dishonours him; but when he hastens to the throne of grace,

and cries, “Lord, I have nothing to recommend me but this, Thou hast said

it;'” then his desire shall be granted. Our heavenly Banker delights to cash

his own notes. Never let the promise rust. Draw the sword of promise out of

its scabbard, and use it with holy violence. Think not that God will be

troubled by your importunately reminding him of his promises. He loves to hear

the loud outcries of needy souls. It is his delight to bestow favours. He is

more ready to hear than you are to ask. The sun is not weary of shining, nor

the fountain of flowing. It is God’s nature to keep his promises; therefore go

at once to the throne with “Do as thou hast said.”

 

Evening  “But I give myself unto prayer.” / Psalm 109:4

Lying tongues were busy against the reputation of David, but he did not defend

himself; he moved the case into a higher court, and pleaded before the great

King himself. Prayer is the safest method of replying to words of hatred. The

Psalmist prayed in no cold-hearted manner, he gave himself to the

exercise–threw his whole soul and heart into it–straining every sinew and

muscle, as Jacob did when wrestling with the angel. Thus, and thus only, shall

any of us speed at the throne of grace. As a shadow has no power because there

is no substance in it, even so that supplication, in which a man’s proper self

is not thoroughly present in agonizing earnestness and vehement desire, is

utterly ineffectual, for it lacks that which would give it force. “Fervent

prayer,” says an old divine, “like a cannon planted at the gates of heaven,

makes them fly open.” The common fault with the most of us is our readiness to

yield to distractions. Our thoughts go roving hither and thither, and we make

little progress towards our desired end. Like quicksilver our mind will not

hold together, but rolls off this way and that. How great an evil this is! It

injures us, and what is worse, it insults our God. What should we think of a

petitioner, if, while having an audience with a prince, he should be playing

with a feather or catching a fly?

Continuance and perseverance are intended in the expression of our text. David

did not cry once, and then relapse into silence; his holy clamour was

continued till it brought down the blessing. Prayer must not be our chance

work, but our daily business, our habit and vocation. As artists give

themselves to their models, and poets to their classical pursuits, so must we

addict ourselves to prayer. We must be immersed in prayer as in our element,

and so pray without ceasing. Lord, teach us so to pray that we may be more and

more prevalent in supplication.

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Charles Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening

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Morning “Ask, and it shall be given you.” / Matthew 7:7

We know of a place in England still existing, where a dole of bread is served

to every passerby who chooses to ask for it. Whoever the traveller may be, he

has but to knock at the door of St. Cross Hospital, and there is the dole of

bread for him. Jesus Christ so loveth sinners that he has built a St. Cross

Hospital, so that whenever a sinner is hungry, he has but to knock and have

his wants supplied. Nay, he has done better; he has attached to this Hospital

of the Cross a bath; and whenever a soul is black and filthy, it has but to go

there and be washed. The fountain is always full, always efficacious. No

sinner ever went into it and found that it could not wash away his stains.

Sins which were scarlet and crimson have all disappeared, and the sinner has

been whiter than snow. As if this were not enough, there is attached to this

Hospital of the Cross a wardrobe, and a sinner making application simply as a

sinner, may be clothed from head to foot; and if he wishes to be a soldier, he

may not merely have a garment for ordinary wear, but armour which shall cover

him from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. If he asks for a

sword, he shall have that given to him, and a shield too. Nothing that is good

for him shall be denied him. He shall have spending-money so long as he lives,

and he shall have an eternal heritage of glorious treasure when he enters into

the joy of his Lord.

If all these things are to be had by merely knocking at mercy’s door, O my

soul, knock hard this morning, and ask large things of thy generous Lord.

Leave not the throne of grace till all thy wants have been spread before the

Lord, and until by faith thou hast a comfortable prospect that they shall be

all supplied. No bashfulness need retard when Jesus invites. No unbelief

should hinder when Jesus promises. No cold-heartedness should restrain when

such blessings are to be obtained.

 

Evening “And the Lord shewed me four carpenters.” / Zechariah 1:20

In the vision described in this chapter, the prophet saw four terrible horns.

They were pushing this way and that way, dashing down the strongest and the

mightiest; and the prophet asked, “What are these?” The answer was, “These are

the horns which have scattered Israel.” He saw before him a representation of

those powers which had oppressed the church of God. There were four horns; for

the church is attacked from all quarters. Well might the prophet have felt

dismayed; but on a sudden there appeared before him four carpenters. He asked,

“What shall these do?” These are the men whom God hath found to break those

horns in pieces. God will always find men for his work, and he will find them

at the right time. The prophet did not see the carpenters first, when there

was nothing to do, but first the “horns,” and then the “carpenters.” Moreover,

the Lord finds enough men. He did not find three carpenters, but four; there

were four horns, and there must be four workmen. God finds the right men; not

four men with pens to write; not four architects to draw plans; but four

carpenters to do rough work. Rest assured, you who tremble for the ark of God,

that when the “horns” grow troublesome, the “carpenters” will be found. You

need not fret concerning the weakness of the church of God at any moment;

there may be growing up in obscurity the valiant reformer who will shake the

nations: Chrysostoms may come forth from our Ragged Schools, and Augustines

from the thickest darkness of London’s poverty. The Lord knows where to find

his servants. He hath in ambush a multitude of mighty men, and at his word

they shall start up to the battle; “for the battle is the Lord’s,” and he

shall get to himself the victory. Let us abide faithful to Christ, and he, in

the right time, will raise up for us a defence, whether it be in the day of

our personal need, or in the season of peril to his Church.

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Charles Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening

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Morning  “I have much people in this city.” / Acts 18:10

This should be a great encouragement to try to do good, since God has among

the vilest of the vile, the most reprobate, the most debauched and drunken, an

elect people who must be saved. When you take the Word to them, you do so

because God has ordained you to be the messenger of life to their souls, and

they must receive it, for so the decree of predestination runs. They are as

much redeemed by blood as the saints before the eternal throne. They are

Christ’s property, and yet perhaps they are lovers of the ale-house, and

haters of holiness; but if Jesus Christ purchased them he will have them. God

is not unfaithful to forget the price which his Son has paid. He will not

suffer his substitution to be in any case an ineffectual, dead thing. Tens of

thousands of redeemed ones are not regenerated yet, but regenerated they must

be; and this is our comfort when we go forth to them with the quickening Word

of God.

Nay, more, these ungodly ones are prayed for by Christ before the throne.

“Neither pray I for these alone,” saith the great Intercessor, “but for them

also which shall believe on me through their word.” Poor, ignorant souls, they

know nothing about prayer for themselves, but Jesus prays for them. Their

names are on his breastplate, and ere long they must bow their stubborn knee,

breathing the penitential sigh before the throne of grace. “The time of figs

is not yet.” The predestinated moment has not struck; but, when it comes, they

shall obey, for God will have his own; they must, for the Spirit is not to be

withstood when he cometh forth with fulness of power–they must become the

willing servants of the living God. “My people shall be willing in the day of

my power.” “He shall justify many.” “He shall see of the travail of his soul.”

“I will divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil

with the strong.”

 

Evening  “Even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit,

the redemption of our body.” / Romans 8:23

This groaning is universal among the saints: to a greater or less extent we

all feel it. It is not the groan of murmuring or complaint: it is rather the

note of desire than of distress. Having received an earnest, we desire the

whole of our portion; we are sighing that our entire manhood, in its trinity

of spirit, soul, and body, may be set free from the last vestige of the fall;

we long to put off corruption, weakness, and dishonour, and to wrap ourselves

in incorruption, in immortality, in glory, in the spiritual body which the

Lord Jesus will bestow upon his people. We long for the manifestation of our

adoption as the children of God. “We groan,” but it is “within ourselves.” It

is not the hypocrite’s groan, by which he would make men believe that he is a

saint because he is wretched. Our sighs are sacred things, too hallowed for us

to tell abroad. We keep our longings to our Lord alone. Then the apostle says

we are “waiting,” by which we learn that we are not to be petulant, like Jonah

or Elijah, when they said, “Let me die”; nor are we to whimper and sigh for

the end of life because we are tired of work, nor wish to escape from our

present sufferings till the will of the Lord is done. We are to groan for

glorification, but we are to wait patiently for it, knowing that what the Lord

appoints is best. Waiting implies being ready. We are to stand at the door

expecting the Beloved to open it and take us away to himself. This “groaning”

is a test. You may judge of a man by what he groans after. Some men groan

after wealth–they worship Mammon; some groan continually under the troubles

of life–they are merely impatient; but the man who sighs after God, who is

uneasy till he is made like Christ, that is the blessed man. May God help us

to groan for the coming of the Lord, and the resurrection which he will bring

to us.