"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:16

     One of the most heart touching stories in all the New Testament is about a woman, sick for 12 years, but who knew Jesus was able to cure her diseases. In fact she had said to herself, "if only I could get near enough to touch Him, I would be made whole." One day while Jesus was walking through her town, she was able to get near enough to Him to reach out and touch the hem of His garment . . . and she was healed.

     Such great faith this woman had in God and in Jesus, that she reached out in trust and was healed. And Jesus could feel the urgent cry for help, the strong touch of faith, and he turned and said, "Woman, your faith has made you well." That's a beautiful story, but we may well ask, "where is the border of Christ's garment today? Is there a hem for us to touch? Has Christ gone to be with the Father, and we are left helpless and hopeless?"

     No, our living Lord still walks in our midst today. Up to the very heart of God, to the very throne of grace, go the sorrows, the tears, the hurts of our lives, and the joys and thanksgivings. We come with our ailing bodies, our anxious minds, our sin-sick souls, and in faith touch the hem of His garment to made whole again.

     Down through the years Jesus has been doing in His risen life the same wonders of grace and power that He did when He walked in Judea and Galilee during His life here on earth. Since then, millions of crushed hearts have heard Him say exactly what He said on earth: "Come unto me all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

     How many a defeated soul has heard Him say, "Be clean. Go and sin no more." How many a repentant person has heard Him say as to the dying thief: "Today you will be with me in paradise." To how many a bereaved soul has He repeated the words, "I am the resurrection and the Life, he that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live." How often has he said to trembling and dispirited disciples just what he said in the Upper room, "Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." Through the years His voice has been heard speaking peace and comfort and hope, and His presence has been sharing and giving these words meaning.

     Paul reminds us, "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy, and find grace in time of need." We are invited to the throne of grace, the very throne of God, where a risen and glorified and loving Saviour reigns. How fully, openly may we speak to God in the name of Him who went through all our sorrows and trials and heartaches and temptations. He is filled with tender love and compassion. He knows from His experience on earth how poor, weak, sinful, His disciples are. He is prepared to receive the wounded, sin stained believer, to dry the tears of Simon Peter, to say to Paul, oppressed by the thorn in the flesh, to us who face a New Year not knowing what lies ahead with the words: "My grace is sufficient for You."

Sincerely in Christ,
Floyd McPhee