Good morning. This is it, the final day of January. I must admit to you that of the 12 months of the year, January is my least favorite. I suppose this could be a by-product of living in Minnesota. That reminds of a story (shocking I know!): There once was a fellow who lived in Emmons, MN. His address was for MN because he lived on the north side of highway 16. If he lived on the south side of the same road, he would have an address for Iowa. One day, the fellow sold his house and bought one very much like it across the road. When asked why he would do such a thing, he told them “I finally decided I’d had enough of those terrible Minnesota winters.” Ba-ba-boom.
In our adult Wednesday evening lesson last week one of the scripture passages we considered was Hebrews 4:15-16 “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
God has gone to incredible lengths to let us know that He understands us no matter what our problem, or temptation, or failure. This truth was the focus of the lesson. God didn’t send an angel to whisper in our ear or to shout God’s will. God sent Jesus, that human expression of Himself. Jesus, who was fully human and fully divine. Jesus, who felt the same emotions as we do, who faced the same temptations as we do, who knew the same pains that we know. God sent Jesus to show that God’s way is possible. Perfection, that state of creation before we are stained by sin, is possible. God sent Jesus to show us the way of relief.
Isn’t it wonderful that God’s Word expresses to us what our attitude should be as we approach the throne of God? Because of the actions of Jesus, our perfect High Priest, we are to come before God boldly. This is because Jesus has done all that is needed to remove the reasons for doubts and fears. By the blood of Jesus, we are forgiven and made righteous, able to face God with confidence rather than terror.
This means that we come to the throne of God and realize that it is His throne of grace not His place of condemnation. We come before Him that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. We come before Him seeking relief.
Psalm 46:1 put it this way: “God is our refuge and our strength, our very present help in times of trouble.”
I think that it is a reasonable question to ask of Christian people, “from what do you need relief today?” Do you need relief from the guilt and shame inherent in sinful choices and actions? Through Jesus, there is relief. Do you need relief from the feelings of anger and frustration with a job, or a relationship, or a problem that doesn’t seem to have a solution? Through Jesus, there is relief. Do you need relief from feelings of disappointment when life hasn’t worked out quite the way you envisioned? Through Jesus, there is relief. Do you need relief from feelings of bitterness and rage that seem to boil up within you all too frequently, sometimes without a reasonable cause? Through Jesus, there is relief. Do you need relief from the onslaught of temptations that threaten your spiritual life, peace, and joy? Through Jesus, there is relief.
It is God’s will that you find relief and it is within God’s plan for you that you seek that relief through Jesus. Come to Him in prayer. Tell Him what you need and why. Ask Him for help. He cares for you, and relief is His promise.
Vern