SCRIPTURE - HEBREWS 4:12-16
“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
OBSERVATION
This passage is bitter sweet as it shows us how vulnerable and beautiful our relationship with God is. Scripture lays our lives bare, revealing the condition of our soul and spirit, and judging our thoughts and attitudes. As we engage with God’s Spirit thru scripture there is an awareness that God knows us and we don’t measure up.
Suddenly, we read the next paragraph that says that while both God and us know that we fall short, we have a God who sympathizes with us. We have a God who understands our weekness. Though he was never weak he was human and felt the pressure of temptation. He is familiar with its allure. He experienced its relentless pull toward sin.
As Jesus acts as our High Priest in heaven, interceding for us before the Father, we are able to “firmly hold on to the faith we profess.” Not disqualifying ourselves or being crushed under the weight of the responsibility our faith places on us. We carry the responsibility of our faith knowing that Christ has carried the punishment for our sins and carries us as we live out God’s plan for our lives. So we approach God’s throne no longer as a throne of judgement but a throne of grace. The accountability that God brings to our life no longer brings judgement and destruction, but grace and correction. It is rooted in mercy. Confidence replaces insecurities.
APPLICATION
When I read this first paragraph I feel the earliest of human nature begin to arise in me. Like Adam and Eve, I realize that I am uncovered and bare before God. My instict is to run, cover myself, and hide. What a vlunerable feeling. What an insecure feeling.
Then comes the next paragraph that restores confidence and security. I need to allow my life to be laid bare before God, confident that He desires to correct and repair my life. Confident that He will use His word as scalpel that cuts out cancer and not a sword that destroys.
PRAYER
Father, thanks for your word. Thank you for sending your Son to earth to die for my sins and to become my High Priest. Thank you for the confidence of knowing that Jesus is in heaven doing my bidding - interceding for me. Lord help me to overcome my sin nature that wants to run and hide. Instead settle into your throne room of grace and let me find mercy. In Jesus name, AMEN!
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