Mercy and Grace

        I have never been in the Oval Office of the president of the United States, at least, not in an official capacity.  You can take a tour of the White House and stand on the edge of the room or probably see it from a distance.  I have had a few interviews that placed me in the boss's office.  You don't come in with the idea of rearranging the furniture or dropping a gum wrapper on the floor.  You usually have respect for the place and all that it represents.  Most of the offices that I have had the opportunity to see, were always neat, clean and well decorated.  Usually, I was not even asked to sit down unless it was an interview for a job.  Most of these times were either to answer a question or to make some request and I wasn't asked to sit down during those times.  Imagine the thrill of being in the place of the throne of God?    Hebrews 4:16 says, "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." 
       When you see the word, "therefore," we asked to find out what is there for.  The two preceding verses will give us that clue as we learn about the priestly ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.  The result is found in today's passage where we find ourselves in the very majestic place of the "throne of grace."   If I were to think about it too much, I might forget just why I was there in the first place.  The point is, that we go to the Throne of Grace in prayer each and every time we commune with Him.  He was, in all points, tempted as we are, yet He was without sin.  He, the Lord Jesus Christ, was perfectly sinless and therefore able to be the sacrifice for my sin and for your sin.  Some people manifest the attitude that they are the buddy of the man upstairs and show no respect for God at all.  Some people seem to show the attitude of disrespect as they speak to God.  I used to have the impression that God looked like the old man featured on the ceiling of the Sistene Chapel and while it may be majestic it probably doesn't adequately described the place mentioned in this passage of Scripture.  No matter how majestic it might be, we still have the promise of the verse.  First, we can go there because the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sin, and He died for all of it.  It is also mentioned that those who go there are usually those that have a "need."   Who among us doesn't find themselves in a time of need?  We are always in the time and if you feel that you are not in a time of need, just wait for a few minutes and God will bring something to your mind.  It is also in this place of glory that we find mercy and grace to help.  Wow!  How exciting is that?  So, when you go to that special place today in prayer, remember where you are and to Whom you are speaking.  Then, praise God for the mercy and grace that you find in your own time of need.