Sometimes when I’m depressed about a problem, I walk around with my head down. Do you? Then I meet up with a friend and pour my heart out to them. Only, when I reach the end of my story and I look up at them? They’re looking away… kind of distracted; mumbling, “Uh, huh; yeah.”
That’s not something you’ll ever get from Jesus! He is so humble, He comes down from His throne to empathize with us:
Ps 113:5-6 NASU
Who is like the LORD our God,
Who is enthroned on high, Who humbles Himself to behold
The things that are in heaven and in the earth?
Do you see that? He humbles Himself to listen to us in our struggles. Hebrews 4:14-16 says we have a High Priest Who can SYMPATHIZE with our weaknesses; THEREFORE, [because he is so sympathetic!] we can approach His throne of grace with CONFIDENCE!
Why? Because, if you go up to His throne, and put your face right up close to His feet, you’ll still see scars where the nails went in.
You’ll still see LOVE!
Right there at His throne, is Mercy and Grace to help us in our times of need! The Cross is not the only place where mercy and grace flowed (in past tense). They are flowing NOW from His Spiritual Throne! I can go there today. Get washed clean. AND, the Cleansing is free… free to you and me; but, it is EXPENSIVE. It cost Jesus EVERYTHING!
I can go to His throne today! He knows where I am EMOTIONALLY in my struggles. He REALLY understands! He is not condescending. He does not patronize me. He REALLY understands my heart; and my emotional pain!
And it isn’t that I Just want sympathy. I WANT to face the sin in my own heart and I desire is truth in my “inner parts.” (Psalms 51:6) But sometimes I need some strength just to face my sin. In those times, the throne room door is open wide… and His arms are open wide! Because, Jesus paid the way with HIS OWN BLOOD!
Thank You, Jesus! Thank You for Your very EXPENSIVE love! I lay my life at your feet.
Heb 4:15-16 NASU “For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
WOW..that was good. I’ve got a few new moves added to my Word sword wielding ability! I’ll keep those verses close at hand, and at heart!