"Grace Working"

"Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Heb. 4:16) Have you ever been in deep need? Have you ever felt the stress and strains of life, wondering how you would continue from day to day? Are you in Jesus? If you are in Christ, that should make a difference in your life! Many times we are weak, struggle and find ourselves just drifting along. The anguish of our struggles, the difficulties of a marriage or the burden of physical illnesses weigh on us. What do we do? We forget where Christ has brought us! Through the redeeming blood of Christ, we stand in the presence of God and in the middle of His grace (Rom. 5:2). That puts us before the throne of God's grace! Jesus gave us that right, that privilege to be there. What do we find? Mercy! We need mercy for our wrongs and faults in our lives. Mercy is ours in abundance. Mercy is for those, who with humble and repentant hearts, come to the throne of grace knowing their failures and finding forgiveness.

There is something else for us at the throne of grace: Grace to help in time of need! Grace, the unmerited, undeserving favor of God, is extended to us to help us move forward in the midst of our struggles and weakness. It's His grace to us, not our abilities or power. The grace of God is powerful and extended to those in need.

Read carefully II Cor. 12:1-10. Paul reveals he had heard "inexpressible words which a man is not permitted to speak." Can you imagine hearing something from the Lord and not allowed to speak about it? Where could this lead a person? Into pride and God knew it! God responded to help Paul by giving him a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to keep him from exalting himself. God knows man's pride is what takes him/her down. This "thorn" hurt badly and Paul appealed three times for God to take it away. God responded, "NO! NO! NO!". The words came from the throne of grace, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Paul needed the undeserving favor of God and he found it. Paul needed strength from God for his weaknesses and he received it. Paul found the power from God to continue to move forward despite the hurt and weakness. Paul found power from God by drawing near to His throne of grace.

What about us? The power of God and Christ are extended to us in our weaknesses! It is when we are weak we find strength in abundance. We walk around gloomy because we are so weak or see our failures. For many in Christ, they focus so much on this, they never draw near to the throne of grace to find His grace to help. That leaves us weaker and working on our own. It will eventually wear one to a frazzle! God didn't let Paul down and we are no Paul!!! If God would give power in Paul's weaknesses, what about us? Stop looking at how you fail, your miseries, how you are mistreated at times and start drawing near with some confidence to the throne of grace! There you will find power and strength that comes from Him and will stand in awe, knowing it is not you but Him. The great, powerful and Almighty God is waiting for us to respond by faith by drawing near. He is thrilled to help us in our weaknesses and our weaknesses does not disgust Him! That should make us trust and love Him. "Power is perfected through weakness." Yep...it is still there and that's what it says. "So that the power of Christ may dwell in me." What are you waiting for?