GRACE - Hebrews 4:16

Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. - Hebrews 4:16

An invitation to approach the throne of God and find the grace we need.  God's grace is amazing, approachable and available.

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound!  Compare the majestic image here with the glory of the opening gospel description of John 1:14: "We have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth."  When we turn to God in prayer, we are invited to see at once the awesomeness of God's glory and the goodness of God's grace.

And yet we can approach the throne of grace with boldness.  How daunting it could be to stand before the Almighty God without an invitation.  In the words of a well known Sunday School song, "I am weak but he is strong." But we are invited to boldly approach God in our prayers.  See 2 Corinthians 12:9: "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.'  So I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me."

God is amazing and approachable, but even better, God makes his grace available to us.  This is the best part of the invitation: through faith in Christ we can receive God's mercy and find the grace of his salvation.  See Titus 2:11: "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all."  And Ephesians 2:8-9: "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God."  And with this gift we can happily sing that Sunday School song: "Jesus loves me, this I know."

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Faithless and faithful alike
will turn to God, but those who know
will return from God's mansion
with the happiness of their host
and nothing more: knowing God
exceeds all dreams, awareness of God
transcends all reasoning and perception,
and standing before God's throne
surpasses every posture and position.
And for the knowing soul, God's throne
itself will be the carpet under his feet.

- A restatement of Sanai's El Hadiqa, 2009

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Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. - 2 Peter 1:2.

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Dear God, your invitation is awesome and your gift of grace is amazing.  Thank you for allowing us to turn to you and approach your throne and receive your salvation.

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