Power Of Grace and Mercy

Key Scripture:  "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we might obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."  Hebrews 4:16

Power Point:

     I love Hebrews 4:16 which says, "Let us therefore, (because Jesus is on the Throne),  come boldly, (without hesitation, with cheerful courage and expectancy) to the Throne where He is enthroned, the Throne of Grace, in order that we might find all the mercy and grace we could ever possibly need to help us through difficult times."  (That's the Suzanne version!) I really began to think about that phrase "come boldly to the Throne of Grace to receive mercy and grace to help in time of need."

Have you ever found yourself approaching His Throne hesitantly?

Why are we hesitant to rush to receive mercy and grace that promises to help us? Is it because we don't believe that those are the things we will find there?

     In 2 Corinthians 12, the apostle Paul is caught up into the third heaven. From that vantage point, things look a whole lot better to him. He has recently been through a lot.  He had to be let down over the wall in a basket to escape being killed. But then God showed up. Paul says it this way: "Ï was caught up into heaven and heard inexpressible words." I think Paul heard words of mercy and grace from the mouth of Jesus Himself. He became a totally changed man. We often read this passage where Paul is relating exactly what Jesus has told him:  "Son, My grace is sufficient for you. When you are weak, then I can show My Strength in you through My Holy Spirit. You are a new creation,

remember?"  
    The really amazing word here is "sufficient". I usually hear that interpreted as "barely making it through by the "Grace of God"; struggling, hanging on to the end  of the rope, and hoping against hope to make it through to the breakthrough.

     Would't you be surprised to learn that that is NOT what the word means at all? This, Beloved, is what Jesus is telling you. The word "sufficient" means:

-His grace is powerful enough, to uniquely equip us to defeat every enemy.

-His grace is more powerful than any weakness we have, even a weak faith.

-His Grace "raises a barrier against, wards off any attack against us. It is powerful enough to stop the enemy in his tracks.

-His Grace is the "supernatural ability or miraculous faculty to maintain our call-for ALL that HE is enabling us to become." (NSFB)

     Can't you imagine Paul's shock at being "snatched up, up and away", by the hand of God and firmly seated in heavenly places? What he saw there, changed his life. I think it could change ours as well.  From that perspective he knew that nothing would ever be able to separate Him from the Loving Grace of God again.  His weaknesses and his faults would never be able to dominate his thoughts because he was consumed with the beauty of God's grace in Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit.

     Are you cheerfully expectant that you will encounter Grace and Mercy? Or are you concerned that God might be miffed at you.  My toy poodle, Gaby gets miffed with me at times, He will sit beside me but turn his back to me. He will not even look at me until I apologize and beg his forgiveness for whatever wrong I have done. Fortunately God is NEVER like that. His arms are open.  His heart is full to overflowing with love. And He is gracious and helpful.

     But it's MY fault I'm in this mess. I don't deserve to be helped.  Good news! That's what Grace is-help for those who do NOT deserve it. 

     His grace is powerful enough not to be limited by you.  He comes quickly to help and to strengthen you for your battle. Need more faith?  Surprise!  God will help you. Feeling weak? He's got all the strength you need.   
     God always shows up best in our weakest places, probably because  those are the places where we finally give up and let God do what He wanted to do all along.

     Beloved, His grace is the manifestation of His desire to help us. His mercy is the fullness of His compassion for us in any circumstance.  Grace is  there to ward off the enemy and make sure that he cannot steal our destiny. Mercy is there to help us understand God's great unconditional love for weak people, and how very approachable He is.

     Will you come to the Throne of Grace today, cheerfully expecting Grace and Mercy? 

I hope so!

Power Thought:

Today is the first day  of the rest of your life. Why not live out the rest of your life resting in His Grace and Mercy?

Isn't that a grace-full thought?






Copyright (c) 2014, Suzanne Roberts, Unpublished Work.