p. 123 | The Throne of Grace

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 19, 1857

"The Throne of Grace"

PRAYER is the very life of genuine religion. It relieves, sanctifies, and enriches the soul; fits it for the thankful reception of the blessings of heaven; and prepares us at once for the duties, the conflicts, and varied changes of the present life, and for holy fellowship with God in that which is to come.

The throne to which we are invited upon earth is denominated a "throne of grace." Had it been a throne of glory, or a throne of judgment, we might well have been filled with alarming fear, and with slavish dread. But as it is a throne of grace, we may approach it with composure and confidence. This language has reference to the temple service. In that service God is represented as seated in the most holy place above the mercy-seat, and the high priest approached that seat with the blood of the atonement, to make intercession for the people and to plead for pardon. That scene was emblematic of heaven. God is seated on a throne of mercy. Through the blood of Christ that throne is accessible to all. From this throne God is willing to dispense mercy. This is what we want first. We need pardon as the first thing when we come to God. We are guilty and self-condemned, and our first cry should be for mercy—mercy. And when we have received pardon, we need grace to keep us from sin, to aid us in duty, and to preserve us in the day of temptation. Now this grace is to be found at the throne of grace. And to obtain it we are invited to come boldly, that is, with freedom, confidence or liberty of speech, in opposition to the fear and trembling of the Jewish high priest. Everything in God's name, character, word, promises, is fitted to inspire the soul of the true penitent and believer with this holy boldness. The infinite grace of God is promised to us, to help us in time of need. And when is it not a time of need with the believer? He needs grace every

moment, and hour, and day, and year of life. He needs it at home and abroad; in private and in public; on the Sabbath and the week day; in purchasing and merchandising; in all forms of business, and under all circumstances. His feeling is

"O to grace how great a debtor Daily I'm constrained to be."

Well, it is a joyful thought that we can always obtain this grace. God delights to bestow it. He gave it abundantly and freely. Why, then, should we not all go to him, and receive it, and become wiser, and purer, and stronger, and more faithful, and active, and efficient.—Congregationalist.