Good News!
An acquaintance of mine asked me to pray for a close friend of hers who has repeatedly rejected the Lord. The request included multiple specific blessings related to her career, housing, a raise at work, and favor with her landlord, boss, ex-husband, and others.
It’s my daily practice to pray for anyone I receive requests for, but this time—for some unknown reason—I hesitated. I questioned, “Lord, is it okay to pray all these blessings for someone who continually rejects You and Your ways?”
That made me think further.
“Lord, my family and I love You so much, yet we fail You too—and I continue to petition You for blessings.”
What do you think about that?
A few days later, as I was walking out of the kitchen, I unexpectedly heard the Lord speak to my spirit. He said, “Come boldly to the throne of grace so that you may receive mercy and grace in times of need.” The word grace was louder and accentuated, and it seemed to echo over the rest of His words. I was stunned.
But it wasn’t long before I understood completely. We can come boldly (which is even more amazing) with our petitions because Jesus sympathizes with our weaknesses—He understands our imperfections. That’s why it is a throne of grace and not a throne of law, which would say that if you aren’t perfect and don’t follow the law perfectly, you can’t really ask for much of anything.
We are no longer on a merit system, thanks be to God. God’s blessings are not based on performance but on His unchanging grace.
God is a good Father all the time, even after we’ve failed. Everyone goes through difficult times, and we all experience seasons when things are good as well. No one goes through life without trouble, nor do they miss out on everyday mercies simply because their behavior wasn’t perfect.
It’s God’s love and kindness that draw us closer to Him and can change the heart. It’s so easy to run to Him when He melts our hearts with His goodness. We want to acknowledge our mistakes and repent.
Now that is Good News!
Hebrews 4:15–16
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin.
Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.
Romans 2:4
Or do you despise the riches of his kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?
Matthew 5:44–45
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven. For he causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
Romans 5:20
Where sin abounds, grace abounds even more.