>>>
Hebrews 4:16 - Pray For Mercy And Grace To Help In Time Of Need.

Hebrews 4:16 - Pray For Mercy And Grace To Help In Time Of Need.

Hebrews 4:16 (NIV) Let us then approach the throne of grace with 
confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our 
time of need. 

Hebrews 4:16 (AMP) Let us then fearlessly and confidently and 
boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God's unmerited 
favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and 
find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and 
well-timed help, coming just when we need it]. 

Mercy means that God does not give us what we deserve, and grace 
means that He gives us what we do not deserve. What a loving God He 
is! [Chapter by Chapter Bible Commentary by Warren Wiersbe re Psa. 
6] 

   Through his death on the cross, our great High Priest, Jesus, 
opened access to God. Now people can approach God directly because of 
Jesus' sacrifice for sins. Because Jesus gave his life to do this for 
us, let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace. This verse 
is an open invitation to regard God as a great ally and true 
friend. Yes, God occupies a throne, a seat of power and authority, but 
it is a throne of grace, not a throne of greed or domination. The 
term "throne of grace" describes the constant care and love offered 
to God's undeserving children. God's grace is a characteristic of 
his reign. "Grace" means undeserved favor. Our ability to approach 
God does not come from any merit of our own but depends entirely on 
him. 
   Believers can "come boldly" and confidently to this throne, 
for the king is our Father, who loves us as his children. At God's 
throne, we will not receive anger or be ignored; instead, we will obtain 
mercy and find grace to help in time of need. God is not only 
concerned with converting people and collecting disciples; he also cares 
and nurtures those children who are his own. He listens to our 
needs. No request is insignificant, and no problem is too small for the 
one who sits on the throne of grace. God will never reject a 
Christian's plea or ignore one who brings requests before God. When we come 
to God, we are promised "mercy," God's loving-kindness and 
forgiveness. When we come to God, we will receive "grace," God's undeserved 
favor, that will help in time of need. No matter what the problem, no 
matter what sin caused the need, God promises to help us at just the 
right time -- his time. This doesn't mean that God promises to solve 
every need the moment we come to him. Nor does it mean that God will 
erase the natural consequences of any sin that was committed. It does 
mean, however, that God listens, cares, and will answer in his perfect 
way, in his perfect timing. [Life Application Commentary] 

We can now find grace to help in time of need. What a glorious 
promise! Help is now available to carry us through life. No matter what 
confronts us--trial, trouble, tribulation, temptation--help is available, 
the very help of God Himself. God will pour out His marvelous grace 
upon us--all of His strength and blessings. God's grace will 
strengthen us to walk right through the trial and trouble. His grace will 
help us conquer and triumph over all circumstances and situations. 
[Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible] 

Prayer is our approach to God, and we are to come "boldly." Some 
Christians approach God meekly with heads hung low, afraid to ask him to 
meet their needs. Others pray flippantly, giving little thought to 
what they say. Come with reverence because he is your King. But also 
come with bold assurance because he is your Father, Friend, and 
Counselor. [Life Application Commentary] 

God wants us to come "boldly" into His presence, not timidly or 
anxiously or in fear of how He might respond. He wants to help us, and He 
has all the grace we need to confront any challenge we might face. 
[Life Principles SB By Charles Stanley] 

Christ's sympathy extends both to those who have surrendered to 
temptation, and those who still resist it. For our failures He has mercy. 
For our trials, He has grace to help us in our time of need. 
Whatever our situation, Jesus understands and cares. [Victor Bible 
Background Commentary] 

The darkness of the evil one encloses those who neglect to pray. 
The whispered temptations of the enemy entice them to sin; and it is 
all because they do not make use of the privileges that God has 
given them in the divine appointment of prayer. Why should the sons 
and daughters of God be reluctant to pray, when prayer is the key in 
the hand of faith to unlock heaven's storehouse, where are treasured 
the boundless resources of Omnipotence? Without unceasing prayer and 
diligent watching we are in danger of growing careless and of deviating 
from the right path. SC94 

MINI-VIDEO DEVOTIONAL ON THIS PASSAGE BY PASTOR SHAWN BOONSTRA:

http://www.itiswritten.com/television#episodes/2672 

LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE:

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2008/20081103-1236.html

EXCELLENT VIDEO SERIES ON EXPERIENCING GOD:


http://sda.biggytv.com/watch/Revive!_-_Dwight_Nelson:_Experiencing_Gods_Grace/revive/