Heart Matters

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.  Hebrews 4:16

Do you recall being a little kid and breaking something that was of great value to your mom or dad? If so, do you remember how you handled it? Did you go and straight away tell your parents what you’d done?  I’m willing to bet (figuratively that is) that you allowed your overwhelming feelings of fear and shame to either prolong or prevent you altogether from coming clean. The probable threat of receiving a stern reprimand along with a dreaded spanking or punishment caused most of us kids to opt for trying to cover our transgression.  Simply put, we felt compelled to give it our very best effort to successfully stall facing the music for as long as possible.  If we destroyed mom’s favorite vase and she wasn’t around when it happened we might be tempted to: hide the broken pieces behind a pillow; throw all the shards away and bury them deep within the trash can; or just leave the mess right there and choose to act oblivious as to what led to it’s demise.  When that moment of truth would arrive and mom would question/interrogate us about the whereabouts of her vase, overall, we’d probably try to get away with convincing her we had nothing to do with it! At the time, getting away with it would matter more to us than her right to know the truth. As she’d strive with us to find out what happened, we’d put on our best performance to come across as being innocent, and we’d straight out lie. When she finally seemed to surrender to the fact that she had no evidence to incriminate us, we’d walk away basking in the glory of our victory, relieved having thought we escaped our sentence. That is until…..

Until we realized that although we seemingly achieved freedom from the consequences of our actions, now our own conscience had kicked in and was now holding us captive with its chains of regret, guilt and fear.  Can you recall being in such a conundrum as this?  Have you ever faced a situation in which you found yourself having to back track, swallow your pride, and humble yourself because you failed to handle things correctly/truthfully-the first time?  Yes it can be quite the pill.  It’s difficult when we find ourselves in that place of needing to come clean with someone-because we know it’s the right thing to do and because we won’t be right until we do so. The angst and anxiety that accompanies the thought of approaching the other person eventually fails in comparison to the discomfort that has now encroached upon our souls. Making things right with others helps makes us right on the inside. Conviction has a purpose!

It takes a very brave person to admit their wrongs. It takes a decision to embrace a character of honesty, integrity, and strength. It takes selflessness to expose ourselves to the potential judgement of others.  When we’re dealing with people, as we seek forgiveness and grace, we never know what the response will be to our transparency. The fragility of human behavior will offer a plethora of possible reactions. Our efforts may elicit anything from true forgiveness and restoration to anger and rejection. It’s a vulnerable place to be in for sure, but one that I would still say is worth putting yourself out there for. There’s nothing like having a clear conscience and there’s no one who can grant that to us like the LORD. Grace may not flow naturally from people, but it does from the One from Whom it originates.

The LORD is like a loving parent who always welcomes his child with open arms, extending an unconditional love that can never be broken. But we can allow our own sinfulness to keep us from His loving arms.  Even though we’ve believed and accepted the gift of eternal life, we still struggle to move past the guilt and shame and openly confess our daily sins to the Lord.  When we sin, just like the little child I mentioned earlier, oftentimes our first reaction is not to boldly go to the throne of grace.  Instead, we tend to find something that help us cover it up and escape the reality of it (an idol), we choose to live in denial burying its memory deep inside of us, or we ignore it altogether and minimize it as though the offense never even happened. As a result, our sin begins to spread within us infecting us at our very core.  We just can’t seem to have peace, we no longer can rest, we’re frightened easily, and irritability and frustration becomes a constant part of our personalities.  When we carry our lies, our secrets, our indiscretions-our sins within, refusing to confess and expose it to the Living LORD (who by the way, already knows all about it), we allow the contamination to remain in our souls. But why would we do such a thing when our heavenly Father doesn’t want us to live in such a state?  It’s foolish to refuse to own our sin before Him when He has already paid for that very sin.  1 John 1:9 says this, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Our beautiful Savior desires for us to come to His throne of grace so He can extend to us the mercy and grace needed to help and heal us.  He made it possible for us to do so!  What a beautiful privileged! Have you ever thought about the fact that as believers we can freely approach the throne of grace at any time? As His children we can come to Him broken and torn to get the mercy and grace we need to be repaired and restored!  When you consider the cost for us to be able to do this, it’s truly an incredible blessing!  I love this passage of scripture because every time I read it, I think of what Jesus did for us so that we can “come boldly to the throne of grace.”  Just think of the great suffering The Lord endured on that horrific cross so we could have both eternal life and intimate access to the Lord while we’re here on this earth. In the Old Testament there was a place in the Temple called the “Holy of Holies.” The presence of the LORD would be there.  The high priest could only go in there once a year and it’s said that they would tie a rope around his ankle because if he went in unclean, he would immediately drop dead.  The rope would be used to pull him out since no one had authority to go in there but him and like I said, he could only do so once a year. But now here we are-followers of Christ-being given the opportunity to enter into the presence of God as often as we need to or want to!  What do you do with that?!  What are you doing with this truth?  How often do you approach the throne of grace? We should so take advantage of what’s been made privy to us!

We should be like the prophetess Anna who “did not depart from the temple, but served God with fasting and prayers night and day.” Luke 2: 37.  We should be “praying with out ceasing!” 1st Thessalonians 5:17.  We should want to abide in Christ daily! John 15:4-8. Hebrews chapter 10:19-22 says it all:  “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” 

So what do you need to take to before God’s Throne?  Is there something in your life you’ve been trying to hide from Him?  Is there something you’ve decided to keep in a separate compartment of your life known only to you (and The Lord)?  Are there things you’ve swept under the rug so you don’t have to deal with them?  Do you have a relationship for which you need wisdom and understanding?  Do you need to be reconciled to someone? We need to go to the throne of grace to get the help and strength to make our relationships right with others. Perhaps you just need you daily dose of an intimate connection with the Lord so you can live out the purposes He’s called you to.  It all can be found at His Throne of Grace! Listen, the Lord doesn’t want you to be held captive to your guilt and shame.  He wants to set you free!

When we go to His throne we can receive: beauty for ashes, strength for fear, gladness for mourning (remember that song by Crystal Lewis?).  When we go to the throne of grace we get to have a personal encounter with:

• JEHOVAH JIREH- THE LORD who provides for you.
• JEHOVAH SHALOM- THE LORD who can give you peace.
• JEHOVAH TSIDKENU-THE LORD who gives you His righteousness.
• JEHOVAH SABAOTH-THE LORD OF HOST who fights your battles for you.
• JEHOVAH RAPHA-THE LORD who can heal you.
• JEHOVAH NISSI-THE LORD who will be your banner.
• JEHOVAH SHAMMAH-THE LORD who is there for you.
• JEHOVAH MEKODDISHKEM-THE LORD who can sanctify you.

When you enter the throne room of God you get to speak with:

• EL ELYON-THE MOST HIGH GOD
• ADONAI-THE LORD AND MASTER
• EL SHADDAI-THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY
• EL OLAM- THE EVERLASTING GOD

ALL BECAUSE OF HIS SON THE KING OF KINGS AND THE LORD OF LORDS JESUS THE CHRIST!

HEART TO HEART: CONFESS YOUR SINS TO THE LORD AND HE WILL GIVE YOU THE CONTRITE HEART HE LOVES