Take the Elevator!
Illustrating a Truth of Recovering Freedom
Without a doubt we're going to need a lot of help from our heavenly Friend. Not only is it an immense (but doable) challenge to live 24/7 with His peace and freedom thriving on the inside of us, we are also called to lead others into the "glorious liberty."[i] By now you've probably noticed that falling into sin comes naturally to us; staying upright requires real, concerted effort. We make lots of mistakes and get into all kinds of trouble. It's hard to say which we need the most: God's mercy or His help. Fortunately, both are offered to us freely.
Since we have enemies seeking to trip us up and a fallen nature that is ever-ready to take the fall, the name of the game is getting help fast. Wouldn't it be great to cry out for help and mercy at the first sign of a stumble, rather than once you've crashed on the ground? Take heart! We are given a standing invitation to come "boldly" to the throne of grace at any moment of need for anything we might need.
Notice the way this is phrased in the Hebrews passage. We are told to come boldly. Why? Because often the times we most need God's help are times when we feel undeserving of it and are intimidated at drawing near the Holy One. That's why He tells us to go to the throne of grace, reminding us that He is sitting on the Mercy Seat, not the seat of Judgment. We've been permanently covered by the atoning sacrifice!
So, zoom boldly up any time you need mercy and be sure to ask for it right away. He knows you'll need it first, that's why He said to come get it first. Then, while you're there, being restored with mercy, ask for any kind of help (grace) you need with the situation. Jesus has the Blood to cover and cleanse you. The Holy Spirit has all the power and wisdom you will ever need for dealing with any problem you'll ever have.
Ask boldly!
This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. Ephesians 3:11-12
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 4:16
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
Prayer
Dear Jesus, thank You so much for making such a wide-open way of access available to us. You paid a terrible price to make all this possible. The best way we can show our gratitude (beyond praising You to the skies) is to take frequent and full advantage of what You are offering us. Let me be one who won't linger any longer in the pig pen when I could be in Your loving presence instead. Help me race home to Your throne of grace in any moment I realize (with Your help) that I need Your forgiveness and supernatural help. Then, help me believe with a full heart of faith that You are showering me with mercy and grace to help just as You have promised.
Endnotes
[i] Romans 8:20-21: For the creation was not willingly subjected to vanity, but because of Him who subjected it on hope that the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
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