Kingdom Seekers

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” – Hebrews 4:16

A throne is undoubtedly the symbol of highest authority within a kingdom. It is therefore significant that God’s throne is described as a “Throne of Grace”. We are invited to live for a King whose Kingdom is governed by grace. This is truly good news for us who need grace, knowing that there will never be a shortage of grace within God’s Kingdom and that we will never be without help from the only one who is able to help. God’s throne is a sanctuary for His people, a place where we can be safe in His presence, a place where we can come as we are, a place where we can sit at the feet of Jesus like Mary of Bethany and know that it will never be taken away from us.

“A glorious throne set on high from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary.” – Jeremiah 17:12

“Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.” – Psalm 96:6

Taking a closer look at Hebrews 3 and 4, it is evident that there is a battlefield in the heart of man. When the Holy Spirit speaks to us, our response, whether it be obedience or rebellion, is decided by the state of our hearts. When the Word of God comes to us, it makes division between spirit and flesh and it discerns the thoughts and intentions of our hearts. The heart of every human being is laid naked and exposed before the eyes of God and He knows everything that is in our hearts. The process of coming before the Throne of Grace is a process of humbly bringing our hearts and laying it down at the feet of Jesus. For the most part, the heart of man is filled with unbelief, rebellion and weakness and is in dire need of grace.

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:15-16

As we humbly come before the Throne of Grace, we bring the weakness in our hearts to Jesus, knowing that He understands our weakness and the He can help us in it. As we desire to seek first the Kingdom of God, the process of coming before the Throne of Grace is not a luxury but a necessity. We need God to live for God. His Grace must reign in our hearts so that we are empowered to advance His Kingdom.

As Marielle and I are settling into life in Portugal, coming before the Throne of Grace is a daily event. We are constantly faced with uncertainty, fears and unbelief. We realise that the natural state of man is to trust in man and that man does not want to trust or be dependent on God. We come before the throne of Grace asking Jesus to give us a heart of flesh and for the Holy Spirit to make us more like Jesus.

“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings to deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son…” – Romans 8: 26-29

My prayer is that we will be transformed into the image of Jesus Christ daily. That Jesus will help us to live a life like his. That we will live a life worthy of God. That our lives will be constantly changed from one degree of glory to the next and that we will live from faith to faith. That the Holy Spirit will empower us with all endurance. That we will remain seated at the feet of Jesus before the Throne of Grace. Amen.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” 2 Cor 13:14