Hebrews 4:16 (CEB)

Finally, let’s draw near to the throne of favor with confidence so that we can receive mercy and find grace when we need help.

Reflection

We’ve all seen signs or watched television commercials that say, “By Invitation only, For the Select Few, Members only.” If you’re the one invited, one of the select few or a member, then you enjoy the privileges you’ve earned or paid for, by virtue of who you are and what you did to be part of a group.  But what if you’re the one who didn’t get an invitation? Our world is built on exclusion, it’s all about who has access to power, authority and wealth. Groups that exclude others create hard boundaries which marginalizes those who it wishes to keep out. This sinful part of our nature to exclude others who are not like us sees grace and mercy as weakness, and sees earthly power and authority as a means to an end. It seems sin knows only how to take, and it prevents our hearts from being open to receive from God.

As children of God, through God’s loving kindness, we receive mercy and grace from God over and over again. We know the ultimate place of power and authority rests at the throne of favor with God. God is infinitely more holy, more loving, more forgiving than we can imagine. We also know that there’s nothing we can do to earn forgiveness for our sinful human nature, no bargaining, no amount of money, no number of good deeds will ever earn us God’s forgiveness and grace.

Only through God’s overflowing love for us, through the sacrifice of Jesus dying for our sins do we receive salvation. Through the Holy Spirit we are all invited to receive God’s unmerited, extravagant grace poured out on each of us. This grace isn’t for the select few, or members only, but for all of creation, to be redeemed and transformed through Jesus to new life. The more we open our heart to God’s love, the more we receive and become more loving to others.

So all are invited to boldly approach God, we have all received an invitation. Even though God is holy, we as God’s children can approach and cry out to God, speak out what is on our minds, even anger, without fear of punishment. We can expect that when do, we can be confident that we are in a place of favor to receive God’s mercy and blessings. When we are in trouble, we can call out for help and receive God’s grace to help us with every part of our lives. Through God’s loving kindness we receive unending mercy, salvation, God’s grace and blessings.

By Jeneene Reduker

For Pondering & Prayer

Many of us feel we can’t share every “little” thing with God, only the “big” things. We feel we don’t want to bother God, but God wants to be involved in every aspect of our lives. If we don’t go to God in prayer, how can we receive grace and mercy? Are you able to approach God with confidence and speak out boldly? Are you ready to open your heart to God and receive God’s grace and mercy?

Prayer: Holy and Loving God, we want to come before you boldly, but often we are afraid. Open our hearts to receive your salvation through Jesus, to receive through the Holy Spirit your unending love, mercy and grace. And in receiving, become more loving as we follow Jesus each day. Amen.