The Throne of Grace

Devotional

What do you picture in your mind’s eye when I talk about God sitting on his throne? I always picture a massive throne with tiny little me staring up at a distant face feeling about the size of God’s pinky toe. The idea of a throne makes God seem too large to be near to me, as if he was too big to notice me.

There is Scripture that speaks about how large and majestic God is on his throne, to be sure! Isaiah 6:1 says, “In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple.” And Revelation 20:11 says, “Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them.”

Seemingly in contrast to the previous ideas, Hebrews 4:16 says, “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.” After reading Hebrews 4:16, I get a completely different picture of God on his throne. Hebrews paints for us a picture of a throne of grace rather than a distant ruler. It speaks of a throne from which comes mercy and help for those in need. And it commands us to come before the throne of the King of Kings, Creator and Ruler of all, with confidence. Hebrews 4:16 makes me love how huge God is on his throne because the bigger he is, the more grace and mercy there is.

Your God is full of both power and compassion. His presence brings both fear and grace. He is a God whose voice both commands obedience and is full of the richest kind of love. And he is beckoning you to draw near to him today so that he can offer you grace, mercy, and help.

James 4:8 tells us, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” The same God whose robe fills the temple longs for you as his child to simply get wrapped up in his arms. You can boldly come before the Lord of Lords and tell him all of your needs. David understood this when he wrote in Psalm 40:17, “As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God!” And Jesus teaches us in Matthew 7:7-11:

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

So where do you need God’s help today? Where do you need his mercy and grace in your life? Know that he is not a God who is distant but one who is closer than your own heartbeat. He’s a God who knows all and is full of love and mercy. He’s a Father who gives the best gifts to his children. Whatever you have need of today, come before the throne of grace and boldly ask for it. If you hunger for righteousness, you will be satisfied. If you need provision, God has promised to take care of your every need. Your heavenly Father loves you and longs to bless you with every good and perfect gift.