Coming Boldly to the Throne of Grace

For a fairly long season now, God has been impressing upon me the need to take care of my health – mainly, through diet and exercise.  I have been clear that this is His prompting, but the enemy and my own wrong-thinking have entered their opinions and judgments about the “how” of implementing these changes and I am having great difficulty in seeing any lasting transformation in these areas.

I “hear” from God and then I immediately set out to make “my plan” for change.  It inevitably fails because I am weak (in my own strength).  Then the enemy is there to confuse and condemn me.  I then “join in,” agreeing with the enemy’s accusations and finding fault with myself – I am weak and unable to obey God.  More condemnation, which leads to more of “my plans” and more failures.  The maddening cycle continues… 

So, I read this amazing verse from Hebrews 4:15-16 (NLT) and I am reminded of what God has to say about all of this:    

This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

In a first reading, I realize that I am latching on to the fact that Jesus faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.  Well, good for him.  Wish I could say the same for myself!  My problem is lingering just in that part of the scripture – hence the [self-]condemnation.  But reading in context (ah, the importance of context):  He understands our weakness…and we need to come BOLDLY to the throne of our gracious God…were we WILL receive HIS mercy and we WILL find GRACE to help us when we need it most. 

God never tells us to do anything outside of His strength, His provision or without Him.  He is so ready to pour out all of the resources we need, primarily, His Love, His Grace, His Mercy.

What an amazing God. 

So, I am coming boldly to the throne – as one who belongs in front of my precious Lord, who is invited, who can be naked and unashamed in my weakness.  And from whom I can receive the anointing and the ability to do whatever He has for me to do – and walk in victory and in peace!