As some of you may know, I am daily reading through Scripture in its order. Today’s devotion included Hebrews 4:12-16.
The momentum and pressure has been building in Hebrews to this climax. We have read about God the Father proving the nature, excellence, and authority of His Son, Jesus Christ in Chapter 1 of Hebrews. We have read about how Jesus Christ is our perfect High Priest in Chapters 2 and 3 of Hebrews. We have read about the perils of unbelief in Chapter 3 of Hebrews. We have read about the believer’s rest in Chapter 4 of Hebrews. And now, we come to the climax “Therefore” of Hebrews 4:16.
“Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16.
So, what mercy and grace do you need today? For me, I think of what I needed and got on my knees to pray at 4:00 a.m. this morning.
All of Hebrews has been building to this point of confidence. We can have confidence. We should have confidence. Let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace.
It is shamefully ironic that we, as Reformed people, are the first to pound the table on man’s “Total Depravity”, but we too often inconsistently act as if we don’t need God’s mercy and grace. We shamefully act as if we think: “We are too righteous and too independent to need God’s mercy and grace. Our neighbor Mary may need it, but we took care of ourselves and don’t need God’s mercy and grace.” Or, we think: “We just need salvation. I am good at doing this and doing that. I raised my family right. We will take care of everything else by ourselves. Thank you.”
But, deep down in our minds and hearts, we really know that we and each member of our family need God’s mercy and grace every moment of every day. We need help every moment of every day.
One of the beautiful things about children is that they are not ashamed to ask for what they need. They are not ashamed to honor their parents, their teachers, and adults in position to help them. The children simply ask for all kinds of “graces”, and they receive all kinds of “graces”.
In the following three verses, Scripture tells us that the kingdom of God belong to people like children:
Matthew 19:14:
“But Jesus said, ” Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
Mark 10:14:
“But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, “Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
Luke 18:16:
“But Jesus called for them, saying, “Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”
“But Jesus said, ” Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
Mark 10:14:
“But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, “Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
Luke 18:16:
“But Jesus called for them, saying, “Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”
Compare the Publican who asked for mercy and who received mercy with the Pharisee who asked for nothing and received nothing. “And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. ” Luke 18:13-14.
In conclusion, let us be like children and ask for “graces”. Let us be like the Publican and ask for mercy. Let us remember that this is what Hebrews is trying to do to help us. Hebrews is building our confidence in Christ, so that we will ask Him for the mercy and grace that we need. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 