HEBREWS 4:15-16 – For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
THEME OF THE DAY: DON’T BE RELUCTANT TO APPROACH THE LORD. Think back on the Parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke’s gospel. Did it ever cross our minds that the son, once he was awakened to his foolish behavior and determined to return to his father’s farm, he might have thought his dad would not receive him? I think so. Ponder the returning prodigal’s thoughts and dialogue with his father – “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.” ’ And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate” (Luke 15:17-24). The son had doubts whether his father would forgive and restore him. Yet, his fears were unfounded.
In our walks with the Lord, and we find ourselves falling into sin, maybe even the same one over and over, we might be tempted to think God won’t forgive us again. Or we go through a period of backsliding. The things of the world have taken our eyes off the Lord, first love for Him has cooled, and we are gripped by worldliness. Then, the Spirit of God brings conviction to our hearts, and we want to return to the Lord. Yet, we might hesitate. The thought comes to our minds, “Maybe God won’t take me back. Maybe He will reject me.” Like the prodigal son, our fears of rejection are unfounded.
Today’s scripture shows us two things to encourage our return, confession and repentance toward our sin and the Lord.
First, we are not returning to a cruel judge or a God reluctant to receive, forgive and restore us. We are returning to a sympathetic High Priest who knows our weaknesses. Next, pay attention to the throne we are approaching. It is not a throne of harshness but of grace. And what do we receive? Not condemnation, but mercy. Not rejection, but grace.
So, no matter how much we have sinned, no matter how far we have drifted from the Lord, don’t hesitate to return to the Lord. He is ready to receive us and give us what we need – mercy and grace, and both without limits.
PRAYER: “Father, may I always see You as You really are not as I think You are.”
QUOTE: “Never interpret who God is any other way than what the Bible says of Him.”
In the affection of Christ Jesus,
Pastor Jim