14 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. 15 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. 16  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. – Hebrews 4:14-16 (ESV)

The grace of God is an amazing gift to behold.  You cannot earn it.  It is a gift – a gift from an infinitely loving and compassionate Father Who understands what each of us is facing at any and every single moment.

In faith, we have the ability to go to God and talk to Him at any time.  He is always with us.  He never abandons us.  And, not only can we go to the Lord, we can go confidently – or, as the King James Bible puts it, boldly.  It means we can be open and candid with our Heavenly Father.  We can speak with Him with the assurance that He hears us and understands our hearts and needs far more than we do.

Think about it: when we sin, what is our first instinct?  It is akin to Adam and Eve when they discovered they were naked – hide from God.  That is the voice of shame.  That is the misplaced thought that we cannot to go to the Lord to seek forgiveness and mercy.

Now, don’t misunderstand me.  We do not deserve forgiveness and mercy.  Sin is what got us into this relationship mess with God in the first place.  But God, being Love Himself, made a way for us to come to Him once more, able to confess our sins and repent.

Likewise, there are a lot of things that keep us from boldly going to the Lord.  Worry, doubt, busyness, low self-esteem, misunderstanding Who God is, legalistic beliefs, impatience… these can all build a barrier between us and the Lord.

But the truth of the matter is that we – God’s children – can approach the Lord at any time, day or night, no appointment necessary.  We can tell Him what is bothering us.  We can seek His peace.  We can ask Him for His help.  Even if you have no idea what to say or where to begin, just cry out “Help!”  He will hear you.  And He already knows what you need before you even take in a breath to speak.

And we can trust that He is Who He says He is, and will do all He says He will.  Not only that, the Lord will act in just the right way, at just the right time.  A literal translation of Hebrews 4:16 may read, “Approach God on His throne with great confidence and faith and boldness, that you may receive His compassion and His unmerited favor to throw you a lifeline at just the right time when you are in need.”

Place your faith firmly in Jesus Christ.  Know that who you were before is no longer who you are.  You have been forgiven – your sin record expunged.  Know that He loves you.  Know that He is real, and His promises are true.  And go to Him expecting nothing but God.  He is all you need.

7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8  Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10  For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. – 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (ESV)