Hebrews 4:16, commentary and pictures

The throne of grace is God's throne in heaven as the seat of mercy, and coming boldly means drawing near to Him with open confidence and firm trust without fear, doubt or shame, yet with reverence as helpless suppliants trusting in a Mediator. Approach is through Jesus Christ, the great High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary who was tempted as people are yet without sin and continually presents prayers and intercedes for sinners by name. No sinner need stay away to become worthy first, for even the vilest may come as needy and sinful through Christ who alone cleanses and forgives, with access open without restriction and resting on living faith in His sacrifice rather than on personal goodness or works. At the throne believers obtain pardon, renewal and sanctification, and find special timely grace, mercy and ever-present help in every time of need, with power to overcome temptation and strength to obey. Coming means coming directly to God often in earnest persevering prayer with thorough repentance, confession and putting away of sin, asking without wavering and waiting in faith.

Throne and Bold Approach

The throne of grace is the kingdom of grace, for a throne implies a kingdom. That kingdom existed first in purpose and promise after the fall, when people could become its subjects by faith, and it was established by Christ's death securing redemption and confirming salvation. It is distinct from the future kingdom of glory, and through the compassionate intercessor who understands human weakness people may receive mercy and grace there.

God's appointments and grants in behalf of those who come are without limit. The throne itself is the highest attraction because it is occupied by One who permits calling Him Father. Those in perplexity can bring everything to Him in trust, knowing He understands their situation and will work in their behalf and is honored when they trust Him. He is gracious, tender in compassion and pitying in love, understanding weakness and answering sincere prayer, and because Christ the Prince of life and Creator took the nature of weak erring man, sinners can come in His humility learning meekness and lowliness of heart, with none who seek with the whole heart left barren but finding living faith and true simplicity uplifting the Saviour before church and unbelievers.

God's throne in heaven is the throne of grace and seat of mercy, governed by justice and mercy. To come boldly is to go for divine enlightenment and ask mercy with certainty of answer from the seat of mercy. The rainbow of promise above the throne is a mighty argument for answered prayer, a token that through Christ God binds Himself to save all who believe under the covenant made by Father and Son to save the world through Christ's self-giving, a compact no human or angelic power could make and as sure as the throne itself, leaving no reason for unbelief and distrust. Yet coming does not excuse transgression, for justice and grace stand side by side and the law cannot be transgressed with impunity. Help in need comes through Christ's merits satisfying justice so God can be just and justify the believer, and through His sympathy as one who took human nature, was tempted in all points like people, knows trials, sorrows and griefs, wept, knows how to succor the tempted, and is a hiding place from the wind and covert from the tempest to all who trust Him.

The throne of grace is arched by the bow of promise. Prayers offered in simplicity and faith will be heard, for it is God's glory to answer supplication and give help. It is an open door no man can shut and no confederacy of evil can close, through which desires and prayers continually reach Christ and His grace shines forth to the one who prays. Because access is always open there is no excuse for sin or for the least unfaithfulness. Believers are to come with one heart in fellowship laying petitions before God in faith to prepare for conflict, to call upon Him in trouble and seek Him in need, remembering under whose banner they stand, honoring Christ as Captain and taking a decided stand against every wrong practice, assured He will not fail nor forsake.

The throne terrible to sinners in unbelief, because sins make them afraid of holiness, justice and power, becomes in repentance a place of refuge. Sinners find a Father there, and instead of fleeing from God they flee to His arms for protection and pardon, where mercy, tenderness and love blend with holiness, justice and power, as seen more distinctly by John in exile on Patmos beholding his glorified Redeemer and what will be at the close of earth's history. Approach is through Christ, whose human arm reaches the lost while His divine arm lays hold of the throne, and the mercy shining above the mercy-seat will never dim while any soul remains to look and live. His grace brings people close to God.

Coming boldly means drawing near with holy boldness, firm undeviating trust, open assurance and confidence without fear, doubt, shame or self-exaltation. It is done as helpless suppliants at the footstool of mercy with sacredness, awe and reverence, relying on faith in a Mediator rather than self, depending on His righteousness and intercession. It requires a life hid with Christ and daily full assurance of acceptance, drawing strength and glory from the sanctuary and triumphing in God. It rests on having a great High Priest passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, touched with infirmities, tempted in all points yet without sin, whose gift is the pledge of help in trouble and victory in conflict, for in Him is strength and all power is given to Him, renewing those who wait so the faint receive power. Those who recognize weakness may thus approach with confidence to receive mercy, wisdom and grace for every emergency and daily need, grateful for unearned mercies and guardianship.

Bold approach belongs to those in living connection with God, with clean hands, pure heart and clear conscience. Feeling condemned and separated reflects lack of that connection and leaves people under condemnation without confidence. It comes after heart-searching, conviction of sin, cleansing the soul temple from moral defilement and selfishness, putting away iniquity, watching unto prayer, and determinedly seeking Jesus without releasing hold until His love dwells in the heart and His Spirit subdues life and fashions character. It means coming as a humble suppliant casting the helpless soul on Christ, lifting hands, heart and voice to be enabled to stand on eternal truth and desiring heavenly agencies to guide and control, opposite to an impatient, jealous, faultfinding spirit showing evil control. Those who thus come often with sincere earnest petitions for wisdom and power as lowly contrite seekers are heard and given help only He can give through the paid ransom, obtaining pardon, purity and heaven, and become active useful servants reaching others through God even without great talents by humility and firm reliance.

The verse stands with holding fast the profession because Jesus the Son of God is the great High Priest passed into the heavens, touched with infirmities, tempted in all points yet without sin. All seeking salvation must come boldly to obtain mercy and grace in every need with living growing faith, laboring to enter rest and not falling after unbelief, with hearts cleansed from rubbish and hearing mixed with faith, diligently searching the Word under the Spirit and drawing nigh to Christ's light in humility and sanctification rather than carelessness or independence. At the same time God's Word, quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, searches and discerns thoughts and intents, piercing to dividing soul and spirit, with all things naked and open before Him with whom all have to do. He is foreshadowed by Aaron bearing His people's names on His heart while ministering in the holy place, ever mindful of covenant and encouragements to trust. The priest's incense service near the ark and mercy-seat pictured His unseen ministry in the heavenly sanctuary, receiving prayers and pleading for His people before God.

God's covenant people may freely approach His throne of grace. Under His purpose for Israel they were to be consecrated to His service, live under His immediate protection, and have God dwelling among them.

Jesus the High Priest

Jesus has ascended and passed into the heavens as great High Priest and Mediator ministering in the heavenly sanctuary, and His absence from sight does not break communion with Him or lessen His power to help. He directs prayers by faith to Himself before the mercy-seat, presents petitions to the Father, Himself bestows the blessings sought, and supplies the key to unlock heaven's storehouse and draw from the divine treasury. He pleads before the Father for the repenting believing sinner, intercedes continually for the church and for sinners by name, and through Him believers are received as God's children and brought before God as sons and daughters. As living risen Saviour He welcomes approach with trust, grants mercy, pardon, and riches of grace to help in need, and holding fast faith means believing in God as gracious heavenly Father and in Christ as Mediator, coming in His name and merits with a true heart in full assurance of faith, unitedly and continually in prayer especially for salvation of souls.

He is touched with the feeling of human infirmities because He was in all points tempted as humans are yet without sin, was made like His brethren, and suffered being tempted. He is therefore a merciful and faithful High Priest who knows how to succor those beset by the powers of darkness, to deliver the godly out of temptation, to save to the uttermost all who come to God by Him because He ever lives to intercede, and to encourage seekers of mercy and timely help. Afflicted and tempted believers have more than a human sympathizer, heaven is full of rich blessings including Christ's joy made full within to be received by earnest humble prayer in faith through His mediation with the special influence of the Holy Spirit, and the gift of Christ is the pledge of help in trouble and victory in conflict for in Him is the strength of His people because all power has been given to Him. Those who wait on the Lord have strength renewed so the faint receive power and increased strength, and they are to keep praying under all circumstances, refusing anxiety, doubt and distrust in weakness and simply believing Christ knows their weakness and will not leave His afflicted tried children to be the sport of Satan's temptations.

Because He took the nature of man and endured Satan's strongest temptations and severe conflict, He has compassion on the ignorant and on them that are out of the way, sympathizes with the erring, weak, tried and tempted, shares their afflictions, and pities strugglers. He knows human weakness from having borne it, is compassionate toward the truly penitent even when guilt is great, sustains those who come to Him for strength, and is the sufficiency of fathers, mothers, teachers and educators as they teach line upon line and precept upon precept. His saving work displays God's love and enables living through faith in His redeeming power, and those who trust Him cannot be severed from Him, are to hold fast their profession, refuse provoking words when exasperated by perverse stubborn brethren, and to show compassionate tender care that nourishes the weak rather than leading them to depend on humans.

He did not remain in heaven away from the sorrowing and sinful but left heaven to become acquainted by experience with the weakness, suffering and temptations of the fallen race, reaching people where they were that He might lift them up. On earth He was a man of sorrows acquainted with grief, often hungry and thirsty, made perfect through suffering, and fully takes in human wants, trials, suffering, loneliness, bereavement and deprivation. When distressed and fiercely buffeted by Satan He turned to the Father in frequent earnest prayer, prayed for His disciples and for Himself amid weariness, temptation, distress and coming trials, met Satan's assaults at every step by the power God gave, and left ministers and followers the pattern to imitate so that by doing so they will be imbued with His Spirit and angels will minister unto them. As great Physician at infinite sacrifice He brings needed restoration of soul and body to those under the curse of transgression, suffers with His workers as His representatives in all places and times, comforts, blesses and strengthens all who suffer in doing His work when they come to Him in trial, and was sent to reveal God's power to give people the chance to overcome natural tendencies and regain the moral image of God.

The gulf made by sin has been bridged through Christ, for transgression required a Sin-bearer and God spared not His own Son but delivered Him to death for offenses and raised Him again for justification. He took the sinner's place, bore the penalty, guilt and iniquity, paid the ransom by His blood, and at the cross God accepted His complete offering for sin. By His merits He presents the repentant sinner to the Father as guiltless, gives power to become members of God's royal family, and through His mediation the Father welcomes His friends as His own, demonstrating His love for the Son and accepting the atonement. Therefore the unworthy who recognize unworthiness may plead before God for pardon, acceptance, full communion with the Father and the Son, and all spiritual blessings even life itself, relying on the merits of the crucified and risen Saviour who takes their sin and gives His righteousness, satisfies justice and vindicates the law as substitute and surety so the guilty may go free. This access is by living faith through a new and living way whereby Christ leads to God as loving Father, calling Him Our Father restores confidence in His love, and it is an individual work no one can do by another's faith so that even the vilest sinner may claim what Christ has provided.

There is now a High Priest in the sanctuary to go to for help, but a time is coming to live in the sight of the Lord through the time of trouble without a High Priest, so those who receive the seal of the living God and are then protected must fully reflect the image of Jesus. The mercy-seat is connected with God's ministry of healing to be made known to all, and growing and increased faith recognizes God's desire for all to become acquainted with it. The light of His grace is to shine forth from many places through small gospel medical missionary plants and sanitariums reaching high and low, rich and poor, opening the way for truth in large cities and bringing deliverance from both physical and spiritual ills, for He understands the necessities of each situation and arranges advantages for workers in various places to arouse attention more effectually. Jesus is the Chief Physician now in the heavenly courts giving mercy and pardoning grace, and physicians and other sanitarium workers represent Him when they leave regular practice to go where there is need with words of counsel and encouragement and speak that mercy and pardoning grace to new congregations, remaining in that outgoing ministry to receive increased light, new and deeper thoughts, and clearer views of the close relation between God and His people, even sending His message into highways and byways and loving with everlasting love while knowing the needs of the feeblest of His flock in troublous last days.

Coming Through Christ

Coming boldly is living faith in a personal Saviour, looking to Him as entire dependence and the center of hope for eternal life, which makes His followers pure, holy and undefiled in walking with God. It is taking Christ as personal Saviour and beholding Him in Scripture to be changed by the Spirit through imputed righteousness. Faith must center on God's Word as the Holy Spirit brings its meaning, mixing truth with faith and laying hold of promises without unbelief, so that Christ becomes the Bread of Life and truth is seen in new light, rather than a vague reliance on mercy. Access rests on Jesus the crucified and risen Saviour, claiming the merits of His blood and sacrifice, for when sinners come He takes their sin and gives His righteousness, and believers may confidently bring their case, take God at His word, rely on His strength and seek help in prayer. This is an individual work that no one can do by another's faith, not by personal goodness or works, and even the vilest sinner may claim what Christ has provided.

No sinner who acknowledges weakness needs to stay away, first make himself worthy, or rely on own efforts, for because Jesus shared human temptations yet remained without sin, those who acknowledge weakness may approach confidently through Christ for mercy and grace, and no one coming pleading for divine grace is turned away. Because Jesus knows weakness from having borne it, sinners can come without fear of rejection, for He is compassionate toward the truly penitent even when guilt is great and able to help the tempted. Through Christ even the unworthy may bring petitions to the throne and receive spiritual blessings and life, each person bringing sincere personal prayers and receiving mercy and grace, with Jesus still compassionate after ascending to heaven and reaching people where they are. Sinners may come in faith without delay just as they are and trust Him to save, for Jesus alone cleanses, forgives, hears, grants pardon and peace, and gives present help in need. Access is open without restriction of nationality, race or social status to the vilest, most guilty transgressor coming as needy and sinful.

Coming means coming directly to God rather than looking to men and hanging hopes on them, since fellow men cannot absolve sin or cleanse iniquity and only Jesus gives peace. It forbids placing man in God's place as guide and counselor or treating a human leader as mediator and source of wisdom, and forbids trusting supposedly wise human plans, for God is the source of grace and strength for every need. Pressing the case means coming just as you are to claim the blessing, letting God heal infirmities with thorough, sincere work and a truly contrite heart, even when feeling ashamed, defeated or unable to pray. It includes confessing secret sins and heart wanderings alone before God who knows perfectly how to treat each case, and where a neighbor has been wronged confessing to him and showing fruit by making restitution. If the mind wanders, the seeker should return and remain at the throne in faith until victory, for victory comes through faith not strong emotion, God understands and does not misjudge, and everyone who sincerely seeks in belief that the Lord hears and answers will find Him. Such coming brings victory and a sweet testimony of freedom and praise for being called from darkness to marvelous light, for no sin is too great to pardon and no soul too dark to save, He looks for no merit but in boundless goodness heals backsliding and loves freely while sinners are yet sinners, slow to anger, of great kindness, long-suffering and not willing that any should perish, and through Christ the Advocate and the descent of the Holy Spirit many souls with consecrated laborers will be saved unto eternal life.

Access is through Jesus Christ the Son of God, the great High Priest passed into the heavens, the Mediator, the Way, the Truth, the Life, Priest, Advocate and King, holding fast faith in God as gracious Father and in Christ as Mediator. It is coming in His name and merits with a true heart in full assurance of faith, unitedly and continually in prayer and communion especially for salvation of souls, relying on His righteousness and intercession as the only hope. Christ presents petitions to the Father mingled with His merit and spotless righteousness like fragrant incense, intercedes, Himself bestows the blessings sought, supplies the key to unlock heaven's storehouse and draw from the divine treasury, and as believers draw nigh in faith He draws nigh to them. Assurance of acceptance enables holy boldness with clear conscience and without hiding the face, drawing strength and glory from the sanctuary and triumphing in God, for even a first plea for pardon is presented by Christ the Advocate, the Father welcomes Christ's friends, opens treasures of grace, gives a place in His family through Christ's merits, and answers prayer asked in His name. Taking Him as Priest and Advocate who alone can represent fallen humanity, receive and pardon transgressions, means also taking Him as King, enlisting in His service, seeking to know and do His will, looking to and believing on Him in all His completeness as followers, subjects and Christians indeed belonging to His kingdom and following the Lamb, which requires increased faith since salvation is by God's power through faith as God's gift and not by human ability.

Coming means coming often in earnest, persevering, continual, hour-by-hour and moment-by-moment prayer, with the mind constantly going out after God, shutting out coldness and worldliness to keep a heart to pray and courage to look up as the source of strength and wisdom. Such coming unites human weakness to Omnipotence and brings promised help and divine power to resist Satan at weak points, so that even under severe protracted assault believers need not be overcome but may conquer. The mercy-seat is open to earnest supplication and faith to obtain supplies of grace and power, for prayer is the key in the hand of faith unlocking heaven's storehouse of boundless resources of Omnipotence. The adversary continually seeks to obstruct the way to cut off supply, and without unceasing prayer and diligent watching there is danger of growing careless, deviating into gradual backsliding on the enemy's ground while fancying good condition, being enclosed in darkness and enticed into sin. It requires asking without wavering, waiting in faith and hope, keeping what is asked in mind and not returning to doubt, lifting holy hands without wrath and doubting, with the Spirit illumining darkness, informing ignorance and helping manifold necessities, regulating relations with fellow men and making life fruitful; languid half-hearted prayers bring no returns, and earnest living prayer at home, in private or amid daily work rises like holy incense as acceptable as sanctuary prayer, giving strength to resist temptation and stand in trial.

Sincere prayer reaches the throne and is heard even when offered quietly, silently amid daily business, or by the weakest person, and no human noise or activity can silence it or cause it to be lost. The way is always open for strength and guidance at any moment and not only on the knees, with silent petitions constantly ascending to God and to the secret place of the Most High, where His everlasting arms are underneath to uphold. When tempted a person may flee at once to that secret retreat, and a brief prayer for guidance or protection is available when other forms are impossible, giving assurance, support and help through faithful love and power to those burdened by grief, care or temptation. Christ has opened the way and invites continual coming for wisdom and grace, keeping the heart ascending in petition, praise and gratitude for great salvation within reach, laying up imperishable treasure in heaven and walking with God as Enoch did.

Pressing the case means humbling before God and earnestly pressing petitions at the mercy-seat with heart-searching, conviction of sin and living faith to receive needed mercy and grace and to meet Christ, for neglect of prayer and faith leaves without the grace richly provided. It is frequenting God with sincere earnest petitions for divine wisdom and power as the cry of the lowly and contrite with humility and firm reliance on Jesus, which God hears to give help and to make the petitioner an active useful servant bringing souls to Christ and reaching men through God even without great talents. It means giving self to prayer, not letting busy activity hinder earnest prayer nor moving hastily in weighty matters, but establishing covenant relation and fellowship with the great Teacher by prostrating in contrition, pleading for clear light to know the right way where Jesus' footprints are seen ahead, and casting the helpless soul upon Him. God tries faith for good to encourage pressing petitions with felt great necessity for grace and intelligent knowledge of truth to have bread of life to give to the needy, approaching with humility, sincerity and persevering faith to claim the promise unto abundant supplies. Asking from selfish desire to please self rather than to make others happy and impart to others does not receive, while asking to impart does receive, and persistent determined faith receives what is sought. Claiming promises with assurance through Christ requires meeting gospel claims by living consistently, resisting natural tempers and cultivating Christ's spirit, for indulging temper strengthens the wrong side, undermines self-respect and reliance on God, grieves the Spirit and darkens the soul so assurance cannot be claimed.

Mercy and Grace Received

At the throne the repentant sinner, assured that both repentance and forgiveness come through Christ's atonement, may plead earnestly in prayer for pardon, renewal, justification and sanctification. Coming boldly means looking by faith to the Lamb slain as the only hope who can save to the uttermost, pleading His atoning sacrifice while the crucified Lord pleads for sinners in the Father's presence and the Father accepts the fragrance of the all-sufficient offering. Sinners may bring the case in humble heartfelt repentance with confession and longing to be reconciled to Father and Son, and God hears confession, answers petitions, heals backsliding, transforms sinful heart and thoughts by divine grace, and gives strength to do and endure His will. It is through the Holy Spirit that sinners are convicted and feel need of pardon, it is grace that makes the heart penitent, none but the contrite are forgiven, and the provision is complete when the appeal is joined with faith and effort to obey, trusting not in own worth but in the merits of the atonement. Help is certain because Christ was tempted in all points like humans yet without sin, knows how to succor the tempted, does not turn away when they are surprised or deceived into sin but prays for them and fences them from Satan's attacks, has all power in heaven and earth committed to Him, has common interest with humanity and His glory concerned in their success, so all things are possible to him that believes.

Believers may approach with confidence to receive mercy and grace in need, and find help to overcome through Christ, including power over appetite assured by His victory. Christ is able and willing to give exactly the help needed in trial and temptation, as refuge and source of strength whose help is available as His words abide in them. God provides strength sufficient for every time of need to those struggling against temptation, as Father with Christ as Helper who came to give tried and tempted people strength to overcome as He overcame. Grace is given to meet the Christian's need in trials encountered while serving God, and strength grows as difficulties are faced and overcome. Christ gives divine aid to those who accept Him as personal Saviour, helping them struggle against sin and overcome temptation through His strength and merits, unto obedience, victory over entrenched habit, and step-by-step growth in character. No temptation can compel evil or excuse transgression because conquering strength is available, and preparation for holiness occurs only at the throne where the Spirit guards and leads.

No one's case is hopeless and anyone can live the Christian life, because Christ's death has made full provision for every soul, and everyone who calls upon Him in faith will be heard and have petitions answered. Christ is ready to help in every time of need as Intercessor who knows weakness and supplies particular needs, and as in His human life He sought strength from the Father to endure trial and temptation, believers are to seek daily help, grace and power and entrust helpless selves to Him. Christ is an ever-present helper who hears, pities infirmities, and is willing to help at every step when trusted and followed. He is ready to hear and answer earnest requests for grace needed to overcome temptation. God gives ample help to those who fear Him and walk in truth, especially amid last-day deceptions, with mercy promised to the contrite and obedient. When temptation, discouragement or danger is greatest Jesus comes very near and provides help, so that in His strength people resist and conquer rather than be overcome. Jesus sees danger, stays near even unseen, and never fails to send help when need, discouragement, danger and difficulty are greatest, so human necessity is opportunity and He is to be praised always.

Believers may come boldly because they have a great High Priest, Jesus the Son of God, passed into the heavens, touched with human infirmities, tempted in all points yet without sin, drawing near with a true heart in full assurance of faith to obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. The gift of Christ is the pledge of help in trouble and victory in conflict, for in Christ is the strength of His people because all power has been given to Him, and those who wait on the Lord have strength renewed so the faint receive power and increased strength. His sufficiency, not human weakness, is the reason for confidence, so thoughts are to be turned from own inefficiency and others' weaknesses to Christ, the source of every blessing and grace. Trusting and obeying Him as great High Priest and Advocate gives faith, courage, patience and love, because His power is above all human power. Christ is the great storehouse from which strength and happiness may always be drawn because He is ready to help whenever need comes, which means withdrawing eyes from self, weakness, discouragement and unworthiness and constantly beholding Jesus and His sufficiency instead of talking inefficiency, living in communion with Him, growing strong in His strength, and becoming agencies for blessing the world with angels as co-laborers.

At the throne believers receive the Holy Spirit, divine wisdom, counsel, clear insight, spiritual discernment, light, power and love essential to Christian life. Truth is a present help in every time of need whose principles guide decisions, difficulties and relationships and direct thoughts, words and actions in public and private. Workers, especially in far distant lands, must look in humble dependence to God for orders rather than to finite men, coming boldly to the throne of grace and footstool of mercy believing God hears and answers, and the sincere suppliant so coming receives the Holy Spirit descending to dwell in the heart because there is a great High Priest passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God. Believers may come together to seek help and favor, pleading for guidance of the Holy Spirit with requests joined to praise and thanksgiving, for human help is feeble but God's power is infallible. Sin-sick souls should prostrate themselves at the throne of divine grace and plead earnestly for impartation of the divine Spirit as remedy for sin, unlocking hearts closed against God's Spirit with Abide with me and asking for outpouring as upon the disciples, bringing converting power, softening hard hearts, filling with joy, and transforming into channels of blessing. God's people can press to the throne to seek His counsel, for those too absorbed in work to do so rely on own judgment and may lead wrongly, while dependence on God brings heavenly wisdom through union with God by His only begotten Son and unity with one another. Preparation to meet opponents or minister must be obtained there, where human incompetence is seen and acknowledged and Christ's dignity and glory becomes strength, where the Holy Spirit guides into all truth taking the things of God and showing them as living power to the obedient heart, giving faith working by love that purifies the soul and stamps it with its Author's impress. Prayer is the key of faith unlocking heaven's storehouse, time spent uniting human agency with the divine is never lost, and God gives grace from on high to those who seek Him rather than depending on self, human judgment or human authority.

Because Jesus is a compassionate High Priest tempted as humans are yet without sin, believers can confidently approach for mercy and grace whenever help is needed, and God as loving Father gives peace and does not abandon or forget His children. Because Jesus has risen and ascended as faithful High Priest before God, requests can be brought with confidence, and He who understands human weakness is willing to give rest and peace. When weighed down by disease, anxiety, sorrow and care, opposed by Satan, urged forward yet powerless and wrestling with darkness, the believer can humble himself and earnestly present petitions at the throne, longing for rest in Christ and asking Him who hushed Galilee's tempest to speak peace to the soul, coming in faith tried to the utmost and even with no direct evidence of answer acting and working as though help has been received. Through Christ's mediation finite beings may enter God's presence in trouble and fierce temptation, and drawing near in prayer brings sacred closeness, renews the soul in knowledge and true holiness, and strengthens against the enemy's attacks. In every circumstance people may confidently seek help, with brief prayer for guidance or protection available when other forms are impossible, so those burdened by grief, care or temptation find assurance, support and help through faithful love and power. Strength for one day is not enough for the next, so fervent constant prayer keeps Christ abiding in the heart, and quiet trust with firm reliance brings present help while dwelling on poor feelings strengthens unbelief.

God gives grace to meet the needs of those who fear Him and walk in truth, especially amid the deceptive dangers of the last days. His mercy and truth are for the contrite and obedient, while the disobedient and rebellious face His just anger.

Help in Temptation and Trial

When tempted and discouraged, workers are to lean on God alone rather than longing for human sympathy and recognition, keeping hold of Christ's hand, standing fast, and doing nothing retaliatory in thought or action, because Jesus is a High Priest who can be touched with the feeling of human infirmities, having been in all points tempted as people are yet without sin, and having Himself suffered being tempted He is able to help those who are tempted. They may therefore approach God with confidence to obtain mercy and find grace to help in every time of need, seeking the mercy and grace needed to endure temptation and meet their needs, looking to the Saviour by faith despite discouragement instead of discouraging things, and knowing they need not feel forsaken by God, for being tempted does not mean abandonment. By the exercise of faith with closed eyes seeing the Saviour who knows every weakness and every necessity and helps infirmities, they break through the dark shadow Satan throws across the pathway instead of looking at discouraging and forbidding things, so as to keep clear views of God and eternal realities. Drawing near in earnest prayer they find present help, for Jesus as compassionate, tender High Priest lifts up a standard against the enemy and helps the tempted, which also brings conviction of sin and a sense of the costly price of redemption.

Afflicted, troubled, remorseful and backsliding souls are invited to come boldly because Jesus was made like His brethren as merciful and faithful great High Priest passed into the heavens who holds fast with them, is touched with human infirmities, was tempted without sin, suffered being tempted and is able to succor the tempted and save to the uttermost all who come to God by Him because He ever lives to intercede. God knows every deed of the past life and all impulses of the heart and every circumstance of temptation without misapprehension, and He is just and good, full of mercy and compassion, keeping alive the spark of hope, so a sincere soul has less to fear from God than from harsh, steel-hearted judges who misjudge and condemn, and should not give way to hopeless discouragement or self-centered talk when mistakes are made. Affliction and trial are God's appointed means of disciplining His children and teaching them His way that they may lay hold of His grace, and the suffering soul led to the river of God's love becomes patient, trustful and triumphant under adversity and comes forth as gold purified. Those who return with contrite, earnest humble prayer in faith through Christ's mediation are heard, restored and made strong, receiving heaven's rich blessings including Christ's joy made full within by the special influence of the Holy Spirit, with weak people given faith, courage and hope, and believers must keep praying under all circumstances, refusing anxiety, doubt and distrust in weakness and simply believing Christ knows their weakness.

When corrupt thoughts and imaginings seek to take possession of the mind, turning to God's throne in prayer brings strength from heaven to discipline the imagination, reject impurity, and direct the mind toward pure and heavenly things, with Jesus drawing the mind to what is pure, purifying thoughts and cleansing the heart from secret sin. Weighed down by disease, anxiety, sorrow, pain and care, opposed by Satan, feeling urged to go forward yet powerless and wrestling with the powers of darkness, believers may humble themselves before God and earnestly present petitions at the throne of grace for mercy, help, healing and rest, including pleading for God to rebuke disease and restore fellow believers to health, for weak eyesight and for bodily strength and rest. Sincere prayer can bring the soul a present experience of heaven's promised rest even amid sickness and suffering, longing for rest in Christ who hushed the tempest-tossed waves of Galilee to speak peace to the soul, coming in faith tried to the utmost and acting and going to work as though the needed help has been received even with no direct evidence that prayer is answered. Weak believers with small strength and no power of their own can press petitions to God's throne and He will not turn prayer away because He loves them, doing the human part by following the Word implicitly in watching, hoping and praying for the sick, then waiting trustfully for God to do His part and receiving light, grace, comfort, strength and victory after victory through prayer and faith in Him who stands behind the promise, whether by relief or by grace to keep working saying Not my will but Thine be done, as shown when humble united prayer thousands of miles away brought assurance of recovery, gradual rising from illness, comfort, courage and a sense of God's nearness.

God's grace is help for times of need, not a promise of freedom from infirmity, trials, losses, disappointments or bereavement, for trials belong to moral discipline, and by drawing near, enduring in His strength and laboring in faith rather than exhausting oneself, believers learn valuable lessons, receive precious grace, and find His help accompanies prudent work, including hard profitable work such as establishing health food work with expectation of skill, understanding, light, courage and guidance with judgment from the One who understands instead of failing, being discouraged or worrying even when trials and temptations surely come wherever they labor. Christians can humbly come to God's throne of grace, make needs known, and plead with strong cries and tears for heavenly strength to be fortified to withstand Satan's powerful temptations and to overcome impatience and hasty temper through silent prayer before speaking, for the strength and courage needed are found only there and mere excitement such as that produced by misused music cannot impart them.

Prayer in Daily Life

The throne is to be approached every day, with wants made known in faith and trust, because strength for one day does not carry into the next and help must be sought day by day to conquer day by day and press toward the standard without trying to store strength a month ahead. This daily coming rests on pledged divine help, with Father, Son, and Holy Spirit ready to work and placing heaven's resources at command, so that though human power is small, God as omnipotent Helper makes the one who uses His provision an overcomer and more than conqueror against darkness. It belongs to those who devote time each day to meditation, prayer, and study of Scripture, whose connection with heaven gives great thoughts, noble aspirations, clear perception of truth and duty, yearning for purity, light, love and every heavenly grace, and whose earnest prayers entering within the veil bring heaven's light until intimate acquaintance with God refines and ennobles them into a saving influence on others. The invitation reaches needy, dependent, sinful people at the family altar, where coming with holy boldness means praying audibly so all can hear rather than whispering with head in hands, telling the Lord what the soul desires, seeking renewal of the Spirit and right understanding of truth from a pure, humble, softened, subdued heart, without display of self, without preaching to the Lord, and without long rambling, but in short, direct, earnest beseeching. That daily seeking is moved by everlasting love shown at Calvary into a deeper sense of Christ's holiness, love, and abiding presence in the heart, bringing fresh strength, comfort, and help from the Father.

Silent, fervent prayer lifted amid daily work and business rises before the throne like precious incense and is as acceptable as prayer offered in the sanctuary. The heart may remain uplifted and stayed upon God as Enoch walked with Him, and the one so fixed cannot be overcome by Satan, with no evil arts able to destroy his peace because all the promises of the Word, all divine grace, and all the resources of Jehovah are pledged to deliver those who come boldly. The way to the mercy seat stays always open even when kneeling is impossible, so that while engaged in active labor men may ask for help and receive it, and time for communion can be found amid the heaviest responsibilities. Daniel as statesman is the pattern, seeking God three times a day amid public burdens and receiving the Holy Spirit, entering the sacred pavilion of the Most High into a peaceable, sure, quiet dwelling where no ear hears except the One open to the cries of the helpless, distressed, and needy who notices a sparrow's fall and counts men of more value than many sparrows. Through such prayer the helpless soul brings itself to God as a present help in need and receives strength to resist temptation and stand strong in trial, with silent petitions baffling the enemy and sustaining peace.

Believers may also come together with one heart and mind in Christian fellowship to the mercy seat and throne of grace, laying petitions, burdens, and difficulties before God in faith to prepare for conflict and to seek help, favor, pardon for sin, grace to resist temptation, guidance of the Spirit, and the salvation of others. Requests are to be joined with praise and thanksgiving, humbling self before God as a divine audience, asking in the name of Jesus with unwavering faith believing that God hears and answers, and God confers honor on those who so come. Such united coming refuses to make flesh an arm by leaning on feeble human help, counsel, and guidance, but takes strength from the great Burden Bearer whose divine power is infallible, who carries all burdens and never misleads, so that even in counseling together there is sure counseling with God. Particular people may be named by name for special blessing, including blessing upon meetings they attend for the refining, purifying, and sanctifying of souls to God's glory, and this oneness of petition can make believers of one mind as at Pentecost.

Coming in prayer measures genuine religion, requiring the same clear perception of right in business dealings as when praying, because religion applies every day and in every place including transactions affecting the rights of others, and prayer for mercy and grace must be matched by integrity in every transaction. Access to the throne is an advantage to be used for the good of the church and the erring through truthful help, naming sin plainly rather than disguising it as righteousness, with teachers of truth correcting and urging patiently and faithfully. Every stumbling block placed in the way is to become a new errand to obtain divine wisdom to walk in perfect obedience to a thus saith the Lord, exerting all God-given powers in humble obedience in the royal path of life and holiness for salvation, and to cooperate with Christ and heavenly angels in leading souls to obedience to His commandments by studying His lessons and following His example.

Approaching the throne draws people toward God and binds them to Him, awakening love for those without God and without hope. A golden chain let down from heaven to earth represents this drawing power that lifts from sin, so that coming near leads to self-sacrifice, generosity, mercy, and care for others. Pressing to the throne gives power to see the world's needs clearly, and as God leads, good works testify to Christlikeness. Laying hold of the throne by faith in whole consecration brings God's love into the heart, seen in good works and efforts to bring others to Him, flowing out in kind words and tender, compassionate deeds after Christ's practical example.

Divine help joined with human effort renews believers in Christ's image and reflects His character to others, and this connection with Christ is genuine sanctification in His patience and meekness. At the throne grace and help are received to overcome sin and grow toward moral and spiritual perfection, with heaven's power made available at every step through close contact with God in prayer. Taking Christ as personal Saviour gives boldness to approach, and beholding Him in Scripture changes the beholder by the Spirit through imputed righteousness, while beholding Him in His willingness to pardon and sanctify, especially in weariness, pain, and sleepless nights, sustains by grace, clothes from the dust in garments of light, and makes the child of God a partaker of the divine nature with joy unspeakable. Earnestly pleading to Jesus and drawing near by beholding Him brings fresh grace daily for renewed progress, fresh supplies of strength, unmasking of Satan's seducing theories and smooth sophistries, and success in conflict, for Christ as the Father's gift and Advocate interceding in the heavenly courts imparts grace and imputes righteousness without which no step in sincerity, truthfulness, and righteousness and no advance in spiritual grace is possible.

Strength for Service and Family

Ministers can come with confidence to receive mercy and grace whenever help is needed, because the great High Priest understands human weakness, having been tempted as people are yet without sin, and therefore can help the tempted who seek strength and grace from Him. His own frequent, earnest prayers to the Father amid weariness, temptation, distress and coming trials, offered both for Himself and for His disciples, show the pattern to follow for obtaining that help. Ministers who are tempted and fiercely buffeted are to imitate Him by turning to the Father in frequent earnest prayer in hours of distress, and by doing so they will be imbued with His Spirit and angels will minister to them. They must watch unto prayer and come with boldness, lifting up holy hands without wrath or doubting, supplicating the Father in faith for wisdom and grace to know how to work and how to deal with minds. Coming in this way means frequenting God with sincere earnest petitions for divine wisdom and power as the cry of the lowly and contrite with humility of heart and firm reliance upon Jesus, which God hears and answers with help that makes even those without great talents active, useful servants bringing souls to Christ and reaching men through God.

Preparation to serve others, to meet opponents, or to minister to people must be obtained from God at the throne of heavenly grace rather than by working in own strength. There human incompetence is seen and acknowledged while the dignity and glory of Christ becomes strength, the will and heart are yielded to God, promises are grasped by faith, and living connection with Him is received. There the guidance of the Holy Spirit leads into all truth, taking the things of God and showing them as living power to the obedient heart, giving faith that works by love and purifies the soul and stamps it with the perfect impress of its Author. Dependence on God rather than confidence in human wisdom alone brings heavenly wisdom and counsel, uniting human agency with the divine, and time spent in such prayer is never lost, whereas those too absorbed or engrossed in work to seek counsel risk directing the work wrongly and swaying it into wrong channels.

Young men and young women preparing for service, especially those desiring to enter the ministry or qualifying for service, are called to come boldly with confidence to obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need, seeking from Christ the grace and clearness of comprehension needed to do successful work for those for whom He gave His life. That boldness rests on having a great High Priest passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, who can be touched with the feeling of infirmities because He was in all points tempted as humans are yet without sin, calling believers to hold fast their profession. The same encouragement belongs to all tempted people to draw near through Christ, since He took the nature of man, sympathizes with all who are tempted, knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and is the sufficiency of fathers, mothers, teachers and educators as they teach line upon line and precept upon precept. Even those who feel unwilling or unprepared when called to gospel labor may come boldly to obtain mercy and find grace in every time of need, trusting the Lord to give directions, make them vessels unto honor, and enable them to go in His strength. Children are to be presented to God at the throne of grace in Jesus' name and taught that Jesus lives to intercede for them, while parents may bring them to the throne of mercy to seek the wisdom and help needed to guide and restrain them.

Faithful, courageous service in saving others is supported by this access to grace through the merciful High Priest who understands weakness and suffered temptation. Those serving God must continually depend on the throne as they work to win souls, remaining determined and undiscouraged because people may perish without their efforts, with firm unfailing determination that keeps them from falling into their enemies' power. Coming before the throne in faith on behalf of neighbors, pleading for God to touch their hearts, is effectual missionary work done by those who stand alone in God, weeping, praying and laboring in humility for the salvation of fellow men rather than loving the praise of men more than the favor of God. Such prayer can reach some who would not listen to a minister or a colporteur, teaches the best ways of approaching people, and prepares the way for other laborers. Living faith thus draws on heaven's abundant storehouse for the grace, power, light, endurance and love essential to Christian life, so that believers reflect God's light to others and help save souls.

Daily communion with God as confidant, pleading for energy, perseverance and steadfastness after Christ's example of strengthening His humanity by prayer in order to bless men, obtains mercy and finds grace to help amid trials, temptations, sorrows and disappointments and gives power for service, so that no one thus committed to the loving Heavenly Father will fall a prey to the enemy, while without it no human being can gain power for service. Members must keep seeking help from the throne through earnest prayer in home life, church life and missionary life, bringing petitions and relying on promises by living faith with work depending on Christ and not on self-confidence, since without Christ defects and mistakes will appear. Watching unto prayer means living prayers before God that He may answer them, and faithfulness in calling upon Him brings rich returns. While members seek this help the church will not go backward but will cooperate in the great work of saving souls on the brink of ruin, as an active working church wearing Christ's yoke and drawing with Him.

Access to the throne of grace and to the mercy-seat is a high privilege that calls for gratitude, trust, gladness and daily glad service with newness of life rather than complaint or sorrow, for God cares for His people and invites them to cast all care upon Christ who cares for them. Those steadfast in the Lord's work may know by experience that the Lord's joy is their strength. This privilege should fill hearts with grateful praise and rejoicing in the blessed hope of the soon appearing of Jesus.