Message summary: Keeping our focus on the Throne Of Grace remains a difficult task for many since we have more of a tendency to stockpile grace. But God dispenses His grace during our "time of need". "Lord, help us to keep approaching Your throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." For the Christian our focus is not to be on the need or even the provision for the need but we are to focus on the Provider.

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

Today Bob and Cindy are on our hearts, a couple from our Adult Bible Fellowship who are bearing a heavy burden. Their daughter is scheduled for surgery today as part of treatment for breast cancer. We seek to practice the Biblical command to "bear one another's burdens" and this has been a burden for them so we dedicate today's message to their family by drawing on the helpfulness we heard in a teaching many years ago regarding "Help In Time Of Need".

Jim Gambini has been our friend since we moved to Lancaster County in early 2001 and was our pastor for the first several years. When he was preaching on the subject of worry he shared a memorable point concerning God's grace.

He pointed out that when we find ourselves worrying we get ahead of God's actual plan and try to figure out how our troubling situation will work out. This may get us worked up which can lead to greater anxiety. Jim pointed out that we cannot "stockpile grace".

But God's grace is always available in abundant supply during our time of need. He shared this vital truth, "For the Christian our focus is not to be on the need or even the provision for the need but we are to focus on the Provider".

An Old Testament illustration of this is how God provided manna, enough for a daily portion except for a double portion to be gathered the day before the Sabbath. If they tried to double their daily allotment or stockpile the manna it would spoil!

The writer of Hebrews implores us to approach the throne of grace with confidence. "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need". This is the only reference in the Bible to the "throne of grace" and is a quite literal translation found in all standard translations. What a comforting description of this approachable place where we find mercy and grace!

We approach this throne "that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need". The Amplified Bible makes this distinction between mercy and grace in this context,

His grace is dispensed "in our time of need" or as the Amplified version states "coming just when we need it", not stored up grace but coming at the time of need.

Coming boldly unto the throne of grace is a reflection of our faith that focuses on His throne and also increases our faith as we obtain that which is needed to live for Him. It's in the present tense as an exhortation to continually draw near to Him in prayer, worship, devotion of heart and life.

I am glad for God's presence in my time of need. I have received His mercy and regularly experience His grace. Admittedly His grace is not always dispersed in the way that I have prayed or want, but rather as God in His providence has scheduled and apportioned it.

Keeping our focus on the Throne Of Grace remains a challenging spiritual discipline for many. We have more of a tendency to want to stockpile grace. "Lord, help us to keep approaching Your throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need".

Be encouraged today, Hebrews 3:13

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