What a Friend we have in Jesus! There is so much truth to that. As I think about the life of Jesus and learn more of Him, I am reminded He truly understands everything about me, about you, about what we all face in the daily experience of life. Jesus can understand every danger, every trial, every situation that comes our way, because He has been through it Himself. Paul reminds us of this in Hebrews 4:14-16.

“Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

When Jesus was here on earth, He experienced every kind of temptation and testing, suffering and rejection, every kind of circumstance any person will ever face. He endured temptation to sin at the hand of Satan, yet He did not yield to temptation. Jesus did not sin. He could not sin. Yielding to temptation was so much more difficult for Him because He would never sin. We, however, fall into temptation leading to sin. We yield, He does not. But because Jesus will always have victory over sin, we can have the same victory. We just need to go to His throne of grace.

As believers, we can confidently approach God’s throne knowing we will receive mercy and grace in time of need. He is there at the right hand of the Father interceding with Him on our behalf. Prayer is our method of accessing the spiritual realm. We are invited to come before His throne and receive all we need. That in itself is hard to grasp. We can come before the throne of our sovereign God and talk to Him. We are invited to come, but more than that, we are invited to come boldly.

When we are troubled or hurt or despondent or strongly tempted, we want to share our feelings and needs with someone who understands. Jesus knows, and He understands. The One who understands us perfectly will provide for us perfectly. When we reach out for forgiveness, He offers mercy and grace. When we are weak, He is our strength. When we need guidance, He shows us the way. When we need comfort, He holds us close. He gives grace for each and every moment, and He wants us to come to Him with all these things in confidence.

Again, as I read a prayer this morning from The Valley of Vision1, it touched my heart as I was reminded of the throne of grace we have the privilege to kneel before any time we want.

“Thy throne of grace is the pleasure ground of my soul.

Here I obtain mercy in time of need,

here see the smile of thy reconciled face,

here joy pleads the name of Jesus,

here I sharpen the sword of the Spirit,

anoint the shield of faith,

put on the helmet of salvation,

gather manna from thy Word,

am strengthened for each conflict,

nerved for the upward race,

empowered to conquer every foe;”

I hope you are also encouraged to boldly go before our Father and receive the grace powerfully provided through prayer.

In His Love,

Susan

1The Valley of Vision A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions, edited by Arthur Bennett, The Banner of Truth Trust 1975, pgs. 272.