The world is a dark place to live for many it seems...
Life is so long and such a struggle for millions of
people around the world today. We are living in an age of mental health crisis.
Broken and hurting people daily battle depression, anxiety, guilt, shame, anger,
deep insecurity, fear and more.
Walk to your local shopping centre in peak hour and
look at all the hurting people struggling to get through to the end of the day.
Beggars, single mums, teenagers on drugs, gangs, families living on coupon
hand-outs, young girls crippled by the pressure of beauty... The list can go
on and on.
Depression
affects one in five people with about ten percent of children diagnosed with a
mental health problem at any one time. One in four people will experience some kind of mental
health problem in the course of a year.
Studies
show loneliness is driving more and more otherwise healthy people to visit
their doctor on a regular basis. Even the world’s biggest cities have the
highest issues, with one in five patients visiting a local doctor because of an
intense feeling of isolation.
Hebrews
4:15-16 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. Let us then
approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy
and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Thank goodness we serve a God who welcomes us with
open arms. A God who is a Good Shepherd, heavenly Father, Prince of Peace,
Healer, Saviour and Friend.
In Jesus’ day it was the blind, lame and sick who were
suffering the most. No government assistance or handouts; it was survival of
the fittest. Each day was a battle to just get through for the poor and
marginalised. And Jesus accepted and loved them with open arms.
The gospel declares that we can approach God with
confidence. To come humbly and boldly to the throne of Grace, where we may
receive grace and mercy in our time of need.
A throne is a place of authority
A throne is a place where power can be given
A throne is a place where help can be supplied upon
request.
Almost all thrones in the world today are off limits
and strictly denied. Only upon invitation, the rich or famous may those have
its privileges. But scripture tells us to come to God anytime to His throne of
Grace.
Grace is a place of forgiveness
Grace is a place of empowerment
Grace is a place of salvation and new beginnings.
Grace is a person, and His name is Jesus Christ
And who may come to the throne? The strong,
successful, blessed or famous? Those who have no worries or struggles, and need
nothing from God? Of course they are all welcome anytime, but would they come
to the throne anyway? Even upon formal invitation? Unlikely. God loves broken
and hurting people the most, because they are the ones who come to Him most
frequently.
Those who are broken and suffering are welcome at the
throne of Grace
Those who are distressed in their soul are welcome at
the throne of Grace
Those who have sinned greatly or failed are welcome at
the throne of Grace
Those who have hit rock bottom and have nowhere else
to turn are welcome at the throne of Grace
We should encourage ourselves by the excellence of our High
Priest, to come boldly to the throne of grace. Mercy and grace are the things
we want; mercy to pardon all our sins, and grace to purify our souls. Besides
our daily dependence upon God for present supplies, there are seasons for which
we should provide in our prayers; times of temptation, either by adversity or
prosperity, and especially our dying time.
We are to come with reverence and godly fear, yet not as if
dragged to the seat of justice, but as kindly invited to the mercy-seat, where
grace reigns. We have boldness to enter into the holiest only by the blood of
Jesus; he is our Advocate, and has purchased all our souls want or can desire -
Matthew Henry commentary
His throne is a place of sanctuary, stronghold,
fortress and safety. Go to the throne of Grace today, if not for yourself then
for those around you.
