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“Come Boldly Before The Throne Of Grace”
Intermediate Appearance Before the Throne
Dave Breese
There is a certainty about the future that we must always keep in
mind. That certainty is one that should never be forgotten by the Christian.
It is, “For we must
all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the
things done in his body, according to that he has done, whether it be good or
bad” (2
Corinthians 5:10).
We are called upon to think about that day, to anticipate it, to
plan for it and to never forget that towering occasion. There, each of us will
tell the story of his life to God.
But, in thinking of that great occasion, we should not forget that
God has made arrangements for intermediate occasions.
What many Christians have never considered is that it is possible
for any of us to appear before His throne before the occasion of the Judgment
Seat of Christ.
Not once, but many times we can stand in His presence when it is
our need to speak to the King about the concerns that we face.
Because this promise is so startling to some, let us remember that
this invitation to those intermediate occasions is found clearly presented in
the Word of God.
The Scripture says to each
of us, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the
feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet
without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may
obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:15,16).
Does this passage intend to teach that any Christian can arrange
an appointment with the Creator of the universe on any occasion?
Is our Lord Jesus Christ ready to have us appear before Him?
The answer, astonishingly,
is “Yes, a thousand times yes.”
We do not have to wait until that great judgment occasion after
this life when we are taken to heaven. No indeed, we can respond to that
intermediate invitation at any time.
We need, therefore, to be greatly reassured about our relationship
to God. This passage tells us that we have a sympathetic High Priest who is
Jesus Christ Himself.
We need, therefore, to have no human individual intercede for us.
Yes, there are many in our culture who call themselves “priests.”
But this designation concerning any human being is a title without
meaning or authority.
What need have we to have a
human priest when we have our High Priest “that is passed into the
heavens, Jesus the Son of God” (verse 14).
Yes, we have a mighty intercessor, the Lord of Glory, who is
operating on our behalf in heaven today.
Too many of us mistakenly feel that we are called upon to walk
alone and to be simply dependent upon our own resources.
We also foolishly believe that there is no solution to our
mistakes and no balsam for our sorrows.
One of Satan’s great tricks is to promote a feeling within us that
we are isolated, alone, disconnected from any heavenly help.
But, of course, the Scripture teaches the opposite. It teaches
that we have a ready respondent to our needs in heaven, Jesus Christ our Great
High Priest.
This passage also tells us that we are, therefore, enjoined to
come boldly unto the throne of grace.
Boldly, before the throne of God? How is this possible?
It is possible because Jesus Christ has died for our sins and He
has been raised from the dead. Therefore, there is no veil between a believer
and his Lord.
The believer, therefore, is
not simply invited to come, he is invited to “come boldly.”
To come boldly, therefore, is not arrogance, but rather it is
confidence.
What is your problem today? What is mine? Has any one of us moved
out into that spiritual desert whereby we feel a great disconnection between
our heart and the heart of God?
Let it never be, because this sympathetic High Priest has invited
boldness on our part in appearing before His throne.
Not once, but many times, always, this intermediate access to
Christ is ours.
We need never feel that we have exhausted His patience because, of
course, He loves us with an everlasting love.
We have also the promise
that before the throne of Jesus Christ we will “find grace to help in
time of need.”
More than ever people are asking why there are pains, problems,
shortages, aggravations in our lives as Christians.
One answer is that each one
of these things creates “a time of need.”
One of the great
discoveries that we can then make is that God has promised “grace to help.”
Here we have one of the
greatest promises imaginable. “Grace to
help” covers everything.
Do you have a need in your personal life? Jesus Christ has grace
to help. Is human strength inadequate?
There is grace to help! Are the things of earth proving a
disappointment? There is grace to help.
Indeed, one could make a long list of our human insufficiencies.
No list, however, is long enough that we run out of grace to help.
A word of personal advice is, therefore, appropriate. Don’t be
afraid, appear boldly before the throne of grace and trust the Lord for grace
to help.
In the days of Queen Esther, she sought audience with the king
when no appointment had been made. She could have been deposed or killed for
that bold activity.
Nevertheless, the king, because he loved her, waved his golden
scepter and she was admitted. He, of course, responded affirmatively to her
request, giving her grace to help.
She is an illustration to all of us.
Whatever may be your concern or mine today, we must not forget
that the astonishing promise of the Word of God is ours even now.
Whatever may be the need, there is grace to help.
Thank God for those intermediate occasions when we can appear
boldly before the throne of Jesus Christ.
Addressing us from the
throne of grace, the Lord Jesus says, “Come,
and then come again.”
From the writings of Dave Breese
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