It represents full provision for our lives. Still others, overwhelmed by their sin, see only God's righteous demand for justice and miss the loving provision of His Son's sacrifice for sin. Let us not use as a mere empty form those words ‘for Christ’s sake,’ but let us remember that these words do hold the very secret of all acceptable approach to God, and that’ no man cometh to the Father but by Me. He had been chosen to carry the name of Jesus "before the Gentiles and their kings" (Acts 9:15) and this was to be the climax of his distinctive ministry. Wait thou His time - thy darkest night That sympathetic heart is the metropolis to which each afferent nerve carries an immediate thrill from the meanest and remotest members of his body, bringing at once in return the very help and grace which are required. saints delight to quote. BibliographyTorrey, R. A. The idea of publicity is sometimes attached to it, but as secondary. The high priests of Judaism could only approach God at His earthly throne, in the holy of holies in the tabernacle or temple, once a year. If you are disloyal enough to despise the King, at least, for your own sake, do not mock him to his face, and when he is upon his throne. Standing where Satan’s seat is, in the midst of ten thousand idols, I beseech those who worship God in the spirit to wrestle in prayer for times of refreshing, that all lands may know that Jesus Christ is Lord. There is no time, there is no place Romans 8:34). So that, I take it, this word is here used in the secondary sense, and if that be so, we may shape a difference between the two phrases, ‘obtaining mercy’ and ‘finding grace.’ Sinners are no longer commanded to keep their distance in fear and trembling, but, on the contrary, are now invited to draw near, and to do so with confidence. Thank the Lord for every errand that takes you to the throne of grace. On the account of his undertaking for us, his appearance before God on our behalf, the atonement he hath made, we may come in his name with confidence of acceptance unto the throne of God. and how very easy it is to tell out the whole heart. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/fam/hebrews-4.html. “I am moved by the need”—that’s motivation. Because God is faithful, the strength to be faithful is promised to us. As Joshua drew nearer, he was given this command: "Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy" (Joshua 5:15). It would mean that believers, by entering the church, are already heirs of the kingdom. But my text says ‘come,’ and is so gentle in its love, so strong in its grace, sweetly wooing us to the freest and frankest outpourings of all our hearts before the throne. Because of Christ’s finished work on the Cross and His present mediation as our High Priest, believers can boldly approach God’s presence! And the help of other men is insufficient, no matter how well-meaning they might be. (Ps 62:8), McGee explains our bold access in plain terms - We can speak freely to the Lord Jesus Christ. It is most opportune, when most helpful: when infirmities, afflictions, temptations, and the snares of sin, beset us with grievous persecutions, then may we by prayer, through our High Priest, have recourse to this throne of grace for our suitable and sufficient supply, without which there is no holding fast our profession, or possibility of entrance into God’s rest. He lays His hand upon each petition, and so leaves the print of the nails upon it, and therefore it must prevail with God. The veriest beggar in the streets is dishonoured by a broken promise, but what shall we say of a king if his word cannot be depended upon? All these are reasons why we should persevere. 8. To come before a throne how unfit we are—we, that are all defiled with sin within and without! A GREAT HIGH PRIEST. Ah, help came at the right time, not so soon but that the courage of our brave soldiers had been tested, but before despair had settled upon the ranks, and in time for a great and perfect victory. Finding the new version too difficult to understand? MacDonald adds that "The believer’s enemies are the world, the flesh and the devil. Out of the deep I call, But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/ebc/hebrews-4.html. That can happen when we're reluctant to tell God how we're really feeling. There is, there will be a season, many a season in the course of our profession and walking before God, wherein we do or shall stand in need of especial aid and assistance. Even thus God has given to his people a charter of untold blessings, bestowing upon them the sure mercies of David. Large petitions with thee bring; Hebrews 8:1, Hebrews 12:2; Isaiah 16:5.— τῆς χάριτος, of grace) This word is also of frequent occurrence in this epistle.— λάβωμεν, κ. τ. Wit and sarcasm may launch their epithets on this primordial craving; but they might as well try to extinguish by the same methods the craving of the body for food, of the understanding for truth, of the heart for love.