Proverbs Chapter 18 verse 16 (NIV)
A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.
Hebrews chapter 4 verses 14-16 (NIV)
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
This verse in Proverbs caught my breath today. I realised it sums up what Jesus did for us in a single sentence.
We can’t earn our way into heaven. We have done nothing to merit that right of ourselves. But Jesus made it possible and in doing so gave us that right as a gift. In giving us this as a gift, we now have the ability to enter into the presence of the great. As the writer of Hebrews tells us we can have confidence and even boldness to approach the throne of God the Father. The writer of the book of Hebrews tells us that this is the very place where we will find mercy, grace and help when we need it most. The very reason why Satan would try and keep us away from seeking God in times of hardship. Even when we have done wrong, we can still come to God in repentance, and because of that priceless gift of Christ, we will never be turned away. Now that’s true cause for worship on this, the last Sunday in July! But we need to make use of the gift we have been given. My gran, had a habit as she got older, of putting gifts away and saving them for best. That’s not what they were intended for. They were given to her to be used, and for their pleasure. Jesus has given us the right to come before the throne of God at anytime, day or night, not just on special occasions, so let’s make use of the gift we have been given in the way He intended us to.
Dear Lord,
What a priceless gift Jesus has given us. A gift to be used daily, not hidden away. Help me to both use it daily and also to share it with others, I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.