Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Hebrews 4:14-16 

The throne of God is described as the throne of grace. That should produce confidence in every born again believer in Jesus. God is love (1 John 4:8). He is compassionate, gracious, patience, and kind (Psalm 103:8-14, Matthew 11:28-30). God loves the world and sent Jesus to become the atoning sacrifice for everyone who will receive His pardon by faith (John 3:16-17, Romans 5:18). God does not desire for anyone to be lost rather that we will come to salvation by faith (Ezekiel 18:23, 32, 1 Timothy 2:4-5). For all of these reasons, we should run to Christ and enjoy fellowship with God (John 17:3).

But there is another reason that we can approach God with confidence. Jesus walked this earth, was tempted in every way just as we are, suffered, died, and rose to life again. He lived in total and complete perfection and can now come to our aid when we are struggling. This is why He is called our great high priest. He can sympathize with our weaknesses. He is gracious, kind, and loving, even when we fail. So, in today’s passage, the writer tells us to approach the throne of grace with confidence. 

Two things we receive when we run to God: mercy and grace. Mercy is kindness and goodwill towards those who are afflicted. It encompasses a desire to help these people (which is all of us). It is God’s willingness to relent of the punishment that we deserve from our sin and instead offer salvation and forgiveness through Jesus. Consider some of these passages regarding the mercy of God:

For just as you once were disobedient to God (the Gentiles), but now have been shown mercy because of their disobedience (the Jews), so these also now have been disobedient, that because of the mercy shown to you they (the Jews) also may now be shown mercy. For God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all. 

                                                                                                            Romans 11:30-32 

And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)…

                                                                                                                 Ephesians 2:1-5 

He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.  

                                                                                                                        Titus 3:5-7 

Likewise, when we run to God, we also receive grace. Grace is that which affords joy, pleasure, and delight. It is goodwill, loving-kindness, and favor from God. The grace of God means that we are blessed with the very things that we do not deserve. Consider some of these passages regarding the grace of God:

For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.

                                                                                                                   John 1:17 

…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith.

                                                                                                           Romans 3:23-25a 

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich (spiritually).  

                                                                                                               2 Corinthians 8:9 

We have an enemy that would like nothing more than for us to run from God when we fail. But as believers, we are told to approach the throne of God, which is the throne of grace, with confidence. When we do, we will receive mercy and grace to help us in our time of need. He really does love us and through faith in Jesus, we can have uninterrupted fellowship with God and enjoy His presence forever!