Go to the Throne
Have you ever watched a movie and by the end of it, found yourself boohoo crying? For me, that’s about seventy percent of movies that I watch, -don’t judge me. As the credits roll, you begin to think, “I cannot believe I just cried. I am such a crybaby.” At this point, my easy flowing river of tears don’t even surprise me anymore. What we consider sappy is really sympathy. Even in our flawed human ways, there is still a part of us that feels sorrow towards the misfortune of another. Or in other cases, tears of joy for someone else’s victory. Despite the fall and the sin that’s been dwelling in and around us for thousands of years; we are all still capable of feeling. So consider this. If we humans; believer and unbeliever alike, are capable of feeling emotions, shedding tears of sympathy, or shouting for joy on behalf of a movie character; what do you think Jesus does as the movie of our lives play out?
What is your true perspective of Jesus and how He responds to our misfortunes and victories? Is your view of Him tainted by religion? The lie that He only cares for those who appear to have it all together? Do you think He only cares about the problems of the saved but not the one still stuck in sin? How about personally. Do you come to Him with the assurance that He cares, regardless of failures that are inevitable anyway? Do you truly believe Jesus cries when you cry and rejoices when you rejoice? That He grieves the broken state of humanity, feels the weight of your disappointment and is saddened when you feel the sting of rejection? Be real as you ponder these questions.
If you know Him personally, you know deep within your heart that Jesus cares about all of the above. He cares about all people. Even the people who’ve wronged us. Now He doesn’t condone it. But He does desire for them to get right. Hear the sincerity of my heart when I say, every single detail of your life, Jesus cares and He understands. I say this with much passion, because there’ve been far too many misconceptions in how we come to Him. As if we’re limited in what we can approach Him about. He understands us more than anyone in this world. I pray this truth gets deep down in your soul, because once you recognize it; it will change your whole life in terms of approaching Him.
Hebrews 4:15-16 encourages us,
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.
16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
I think at times we can get so caught up in Jesus’s Lordship, that we forget about His humanity, during the time He dwelt among us on earth. When Jesus left from glory, to live here on this ghetto earth; He did not come as an earthly king. He was born of a human women, raised by a carpenter father, lived a normal childhood in a small town and lived lowly as an adult. He experienced rejection from friends, grief of losing loved ones and constantly being misunderstood. He knows how lonely feels, how weariness weighs, the exhaustion from work, He has felt the temptings of temptation and He has acted out of righteous anger. He also experienced joy and excitement as He celebrated with His disciples, attended weddings, feasted with His friends and sinners who knew they needed a Savior, He loved on His mother and prayed constantly to His Father -God in heaven.
He laughed, cried, danced, joked, formed relationships and all the things we tend to forget that made Him personally relatable to us. We however, are the ones who cannot personally relate to all that He’s endured while on earth. The whipping post and spiked whips stabbing the skin with every strike, a crown of thorns piercing through His head, carrying a weighty cross after a torturous beating, the complete humiliation of being rejected, spat on and abused nakedly & publicly. Then the hurt of forsakenness by the Heavenly Father as He endured the wrath we deserved, on that cross.. For us. So may we never have the prideful audacity to believe our trials are too large for Jesus to understand.
And because of our God’s ability to identify with us, He pours great compassion on us. Therefor, we can most assuredly approach the throne of our gracious God, unashamedly, transparently and humbly. He is concerned, approachable, willing and able to handle anything we bring to Him. Discouragement from this available access is a strategy from the opposer, satan because he knows we’ll find freedom on the other side. However, look at how God not only encourage us to approach His throne. He says to do it boldly. That is, with God-fidence, consistency, without reservation or doubt. Essentially, run to Him. I love the promise that results in coming to the God of compassion. At that throne, in His presence; we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most (v 16). And this is why it is imperative that we get in the presence of God for ourselves! His presence is powerful, satisfying and captivating. His mercy and grace is what has kept us from the beginning of time, when we were completely ignorant and even now.
See, His mercy protects us from getting what our sinful selves deserve. He grace enables us to receive the goodness that we do not deserve. All in our time of need. This concept looks like coming to Him about every little detail and letting Him work it out. I don’t care how insignificant it may seem. I recently tattled to Him about someone else and wouldn’t you know, I ended up repenting and praying for my own heart, as He reminded me how I fell off with praying for this specific individual. But that was His mercy, y’all. Giving me strategy to pray continually because Jesus Himself could relate and therefore encourage me to keep watch in prayer. Other times, I talk to Him about the simplest things. Why? Because He cares. Enough to listen, talk back and even correct us. All forms of His mercy and grace.
What is it that you need to approach His throne of grace for today? No matter how big or small you perceive it to be, I encourage you to talk with the One Who knows, sees and understands. I challenge you to seek His counsel instead of your friends and see what the Lord does as a result. He has already welcomed you to His throne, so don’t delay, sis. Understanding, mercy and grace are waiting just for you!
Let’s Pray:
Father God, thank You for Your Word that encourages, reveals truth and offers us promises. Jesus, thank You for being our God Who is not far removed from our feelings and life’s circumstances. Thank You for all that You endured just to relate to us and therefor save us. You are worthy. Help us , to come to Your throne of grace about any and everything. The world may consider it foolish, the prudent may advise us to not question You but You, Lord call it true relationship and humility. When the enemy attempts to discourage us from seeking Your counsel, remind us of You Word in Hebrews 4 which welcomes us to Your throne of grace, mercy and help. You’re not too busy for us, You aren’t annoyed by our constant neediness, You aren’t indifferent or nonchalant and simply put: You care. And because you care, You will act for us, pray for us, correct us, encourage us and console us where we need it. You are the God of compassion and we thank You, Lord. In Jesus loving name, amen.
