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

July 25th, 2022 by Pastor Ed in devotional

Ancient monarchs allowed only their closest and most trusted advisers approach their thrones. And those who came near were in real danger of incurring the wrath of an absolute ruler who might easily become displeased with something they said or did. In the children’s novel The Wizard of Oz, the 4 needy characters came many miles and faced many perils to be able to see the wizard. When they were finally granted entrance, he scared them with a display of thunder and lightening. Terrified and holding on to each other, they walked slowly toward the throne. Dorothy, the Tin Woodman, the Scarecrow, and the Lion were quaking in fright when they finally mumbled out their requests. In the end, it turned out that the wizard was really very weak and completely unable to meet their needs.

Some believers have that sort of picture in mind when they approach God Almighty with a prayer request. God certainly is the absolute ruler of heaven and earth, but more importantly, He is our heavenly Father who encourages us to “come boldly” to His throne, a throne that is described as being a “throne of grace.” It is a throne where unmerited favor reigns and grace pours as a blessing on those who have surrendered to Him.

Pastor G. Campbell Morgan spoke often on this verse:

I am never tired of pointing out that the Greek phrase translated “in time of need” is a colloquialism of which “in the nick of time” is the exact equivalent. “That we may receive mercy and find grace to help in the nick of time“—grace just when and where I need it. You are attacked by temptation. At the moment of assault, you look to Him, and the grace is there to help in the nick of time.

“LORD, we look to You to supply grace today in the nick of time for everything we attempt for You.”