Grace to Help Us

Hebrews 4:15-16 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16) So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

I don’t know about you, but Hebrews 4:15-16 has literally saved my life more times than I can count. I am talking about my whole mental state of mind. It took a while for me to really reap the benefits of it though. You see, it takes faith to accept it just as it is written.

This well-known scripture is often quoted by every denomination that uses the bible as their guide for Christian living. These are the verses that aid us against the mental anguish that we experience every time we mess up. And yet, sometimes our mess-ups seem to extend beyond receiving such grace. The guilt that we carry was the penalty for our bad decision or wrong action. We don’t seek grace because we are convinced that we didn’t deserve it. We didn’t think we deserved it because we weren't sure how soon it would be until we messed up again.

But the text says “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin”.

Isn’t this good news?! Someone who truly understands our weaknesses. I don’t know about you, but I know what my weaknesses are, and many times I don’t understand them. I don’t understand why I am not stronger in certain areas than I am. I don’t understand how something that I should have control over tends to have control over me. And every time it gets the better of me, it costs me my peace. It costs me sleepless nights and unproductive days. But it shouldn’t! The Father has provided a remedy for my mess-ups!!

Look at the word of the Lord in Hebrews 4:16 - 16) So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

These are shouting words! Regardless of how often we mess up or how big the mess is, the invitation remains the same. LET US COME BOLDLY TO THE THRONE OF GRACE OF OUR GRACIOUS GOD!!! No tiptoeing in shame. No coming with our heads bowed down in shame. No fear of punishment or rejection. We are going to the One who understands; the One who has faced all the same tests like the ones we have failed…again. And yet, He beckons us to come and receive His mercy!!! He offers us His pity; His compassion and kindness. The very thing that we need but don’t deserve. The very thing that we sometimes struggle to receive because we have judged ourselves so harshly that if we received punishment instead, we would humbly accept it.

But no, the text says we will find grace to help us when we need it most. This grace helps you to forgive yourself. It helps you to continue in your walk of faith. It helps you to receive the strength that the High Priest is offering.

When do you need it most? Do you need it now? Are you still waddling in the guilt from a mess you made days or weeks ago? Are you struggling to forgive yourself?

Let me encourage you to let it go and yield to the grace that is being offered to you today. It doesn’t matter what it is, just get to that throne of grace. You may not have the strength to go boldly. You may have to show up crawling and crying, but that’s okay. His grace will meet you where you are. The High Priest is there to help, to heal, to hold you until you can stand again!

Let’s pray this prayer together:

Father, I come before you today seeking Your help. I have messed up again

and I am sorry. Please forgive me as I come before your throne of grace.

I need Your strength and Your mercy to continue on. Hold me close and

put me back together again like only You can. I love you, Lord, and it

is my desire to please you in all of my ways. Thank you for hearing my

prayer and forgiving my sins. Thank you for your love and grace. I

declare that I am forgiven and I receive your grace. In Jesus’s name.

Amen!!

Blessings,

Pastor Karen Jethroe