Receiving God’s Mercy and Grace
By Greg Johnson
April 15, 2007
http://www.LovingGodFellowship.org
I received an email yesterday from a lady in Texas through our website at http://www.LovingGodFellowship.org. She said “my 21 yr old son died recently in a backslidden condition and so was I. It wouldn’t have happened had I been living right. I’m out of my mind daily over it. I have 3 other kids 18 to 23 that need salvation and an unsaved husband who is leaving. I BEG for prayer for MERCY on our souls.”
My heart immediately went out to this precious person as I read her words. The Holy Spirit quickly gave me scripture for her. I want to share it with you today (Hebrews 4:14-16 NIV) "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. {15} For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin. {16} 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."
You may be in despair today. Your heart is broken. You are calling out to God for mercy and grace. The Holy Spirit encourages you today and points you to Jesus the author and the perfecter of your faith.
HOLD ON FIRMLY TO YOUR FAITH IN JESUS.
The devil will do everything he can to destroy your faith. The devil tried to destroy Simon Peter’s faith as he “backslid”, denied Christ and cursed at the cross. Jesus had pre warned Peter when He said (Luke 22:31-32 NIV) "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. {32} But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."
The recipients to the letter of Hebrews were losing faith as a result of the tribulation and persecutions, the sifting, that they were going through for the cause of the Gospel. The Holy Spirit was encouraging them to hold on firmly to their faith. The Holy Spirit encourages each of us today to hold on firmly to our faith. Jesus died on the cross for us. God raised Jesus from the dead. God ascended Jesus into the heavens and placed Him above all authority and power. Jesus is our high priest and He has entered into the Holy of Holies on our behalf. Hold on firmly to this faith that you have in Jesus Christ as your high priest. Jesus is interceding for you. He is praying that in the midst of sifting, your faith does not fail and that you will come through this and strengthen others as a result.
JESUS UNDERSTANDS OUR FRAILTIES AND OUR WEAKNESSES.
Jesus is able to understand our frailties and our weaknesses because He left the glories of heaven and came into our world as flesh and blood to associate with our pain and suffering. Jesus knows what it is like to be tempted by the devil. Jesus knows what it is like to be betrayed by a good friend. Jesus knows what it is like to be talked about and ridiculed for doing good. Jesus knows what it is like to have someone you love to die. Jesus knows what it is like to suffer. Jesus went through it all and came out victorious. Jesus has won your victory. Through it all, you will learn to trust in Jesus and He will lead you through every trial and affliction victoriously as you fix your eyes on Him (Hebrews 12:2).
COME TO PRAYER WITH CONFIDENCE.
Jesus has ascended to the right hand of God as your High Priest. Jesus has been given authority and power over all things. Jesus is interceding for you. Jesus has lived in your world and He can associate with your difficulties. Because of all this, you can come to prayer with confidence. Your confidence is in Jesus Christ and the victories that He has already won for you. Jesus destroyed the power of sin, death, hell and the grave. You are already victorious through Jesus Christ and He will strengthen you for the journey that you are on from earth to glory.
Beloved, in the midst of despair, despondency, and a broken heart you can be confident that as you come to God through Jesus Christ in prayer, He will pour His mercies and His grace out on you. His mercies are new every morning and His grace is sufficient to get you through anything that comes your way. You are a child of God and a joint heir with Jesus Christ. Hold on firmly to your faith. Jesus is able. Come to prayer continually with confidence. God will see you through and through it all, you will learn to lean upon Him and trust Him with everything. God will use you to strengthen others.
