“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. 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.” Hebrews 4:16 NIV

Listen to this verse friends, it’s more powerful than we realize! Our high priest is Jesus… and He knows what we are going through! He knows what it’s like to be tempted! He knows what it’s like to be irritated, accused, weak, beaten down and broken! He knows the weight and pressure of this world first hand! He has been in your shoes. What a blessing this is for us! There is victory in the revelation of this verse that Jesus, our high priest, is sitting at the right hand of God interceding for us for all of our days here on earth! He is advocating for us—on behalf of us—to the Father.

Jesus understands.

Think about that for a minute.

When you’re felling broken, defeated, discouraged… When you mess up. When you are tempted. Whatever it is—Jesus isn’t sitting on the throne judging you for your mistakes and/or your limitations. NO! He is there empathizing for you! Interceding for you! Cheering you on so that you will make the best choices.

I liken this to being a mother. As a mother I’m always hoping my kids will make the best choices possible in any given scenario. My kids are still little so when I watch them playing together, I’m quietly hoping they share, get along, are kind to one another, etc. If they mess up I don’t swoop in with judgment—I offer suggestions or ask questions, “What do you think you should have said?” or “What would have been a better way to talk to your sister?” I want them to grow and mature so I empower them to make the best choices possible by offering simple, gentle nudges in the right direction.

In doing so their confidence is boosted and they are empowered to make better choices in the future.

This is all part of the maturing process. And my kids know they can come to me any time for advice, solutions, intervention, etc. Sometimes they get themselves so worked up they come running to me in total despair or frustration and instead of me getting upset at them for being so worked up I try to calmly receive them with love and am ready to hear what’s troubling them so we can work together to find the solution. Quietly I am thanking God for their boldness and confidence towards me that they know I will receive them with love… I am thankful for His grace on my life as their mother that they don’t have an ounce of rejection on them toward me and that I haven’t pushed them away by being angry (which does happen sometimes). They have confidence…. And they come to me just as they are… and we work through it. I pray that never changes.

Are you hearing this friend?

As the beloved children of God we have the same relationship dynamic with the Father!

Each of us is in a maturing process. We are maturing in Christ. And Hebrews 4:15-16 is telling us that Christ empathizes with our weaknesses… He doesn’t expect us to be perfect. So let us go boldly and confidently before the throne of Grace, just as we are, “so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

How often do we feel like we need to get our act together before approaching God?

We’ve all felt that way at one time or another. But its time we let that go and run to God just as we are and allow Him to help us in our time of need. Otherwise, if we try to get it all together before approaching God then we are attempting to clean ourselves up in our own strength and if history has shown us anything its that that’s impossible and only leads to self destruction!

So today I challenge you, let go of all that you feel keeps you from running boldly before God—warts and all—and just go to Him. Fall at His feet wherever you are right now and let Him love you. Listen as He talks to you. Just breathe and let God be God. He is the author and perfecter of your faith (Heb. 12:2). Jesus came into this world with instructions for us to come to Him just as we are. And its through His sacrifice on the cross that we are all able to draw near to God… and in doing so, God draws near to us (James 4:8).

“Therefore . . . let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV

Pray this prayer:

Father, I thank You for the sacrifice of your precious Son, Jesus. That through His blood a way was made for us to come near to You. I thank You that I have a Great Intercessor who is seated next to you, interceding for me and able to empathize with me in my weakness. I thank You that shame is lifted from me. That guilt is lifted from me. That through Jesus I can truly arise and shine and Your glory can rest on my face. Help me today to come before you with boldness and confidence and lay all my burdens at your feet—not to pick them up again. You are a good God, I love You and I receive Your love. In Jesus Name, amen.

I love you all!

Krissy

P.S. Let me know how I can be praying for you. Leave me a comment or send me a message…you’re not alone.