Verse of the Day 11/10

Verse of the Day 11/10

Hebrews 4:16. New International Version

16 Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

I mentioned the other day how I look forward to certain books, chapters and passages that come up in my reading through the New Testament each year.  They serve as reminders of the blessings that we have, the power that we can draw upon and the grace that we receive from Jesus Christ every day of the year and our lives.

The reminder in today's verse is that we can approach God with "confidence" in the NIV and with "boldness" (NKJV below) to receive the grace and strength we need in and through the challenges and trials in our lives.  We don't have to approach Him sheepishly or like a dog with our tail between our legs, no with confidence.

We come, we draw near to God to receive, obtain, mercy, being spared of the punishment or judgment that we deserve; also, to receive grace, God's undeserved help and strength when we need it most.  The two are intertwined and prayer is the channel to receive them.

John Piper writes, "Prayer is the form of faith that connects us today with the grace that will make us adequate for tomorrow's ministry. Timing really matters..... The point is that prayer is the way to find future grace for a well-timed help. This grace of God always arrives from the "throne of grace" on time. The phrase "throne of grace" means that future grace comes from the King of the universe who sets the times by his own authority (Acts 1:7).  

"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may find grace for a well-timed help. "(Hebrews 4:16, my literal translation)

What are you facing today?  Go boldly to Him to find "grace for a well timed help."

Blessings,

Mike

Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV

Hebrews 4:14-16

New King James Version

Our Compassionate High Priest

14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 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. 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.