4. How to Come Boldly to the Throne of Grace
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“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Hebrews 4:16 NKJV
Introduction: How Do We Approach God?
Many believers know that they should pray, but they are not always certain how to approach God. Should we come fearfully, wondering whether He will receive us? Must we first overcome every weakness and correct every failure before entering His presence?
Hebrews 4:16 gives us a clear answer: we are to come boldly to the throne of grace. We do not approach God because we have performed perfectly, but because Jesus Christ has opened the way for us.
The important question is: How do we receive mercy, grace, strength, wisdom, and help? We come boldly to God through Jesus Christ.
Why Can We Come Boldly?
The word “therefore” connects Hebrews 4:16 to the verses before it. We can come boldly because Jesus is our great High Priest.
“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.”
Hebrews 4:14 NKJV
“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.”
Hebrews 4:15 NKJV
Jesus is not distant or indifferent toward our struggles. He understands temptation, suffering, rejection, sorrow, exhaustion, and pain. Yet He remained without sin.
Because Jesus understands our weakness and has paid the price for our sin, we do not have to hide from God. Our weakness should not drive us away from Him; it should cause us to draw nearer.
Come Boldly
To come boldly does not mean that we approach God arrogantly or disrespectfully. Biblical boldness is reverent confidence. We come humbly because God is holy, but confidently because Jesus has made the way open.
“In whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.”
Ephesians 3:12 NKJV
Our confidence is not based on our goodness, our feelings, or our religious achievements. It is based on faith in Jesus Christ.
“Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh.”
Hebrews 10:19–20 NKJV
Under the old covenant, the high priest entered the Most Holy Place only once a year and only with sacrificial blood. Through the blood of Jesus, the barrier has been removed. The way into God’s presence is now open to every believer.
Come to the Throne
A throne represents authority, power, majesty, and government. When we pray, we are approaching the King who rules over heaven and earth.
“The LORD has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all.”
Psalm 103:19 NKJV
No problem is greater than the One seated upon the throne. No sickness, temptation, financial difficulty, family crisis, spiritual attack, or impossible situation is beyond His authority.
We must never allow the size of our problem to make us forget the greatness of our God.
It Is a Throne of Grace
For those who come through Jesus Christ, God’s throne is called the throne of grace. Grace is God’s undeserved favour, but it is also His power working in our weakness.
“And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’”
2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV
God does not tell us to become strong before approaching Him. He invites us to come so that we may receive His strength.
When you are weak, come. When you are tempted, come. When you are confused, come. When you have failed, come. When you are weary, come to the throne of grace.
Come Honestly
Boldness before God includes honesty. We do not need to pretend that everything is well. God already knows our thoughts, fears, struggles, and weaknesses.
“Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.”
Psalm 62:8 NKJV
Prayer is not a performance. We can pour out our hearts before God and tell Him where we are hurting, where we are afraid, where we are confused, and where we need His help.
Come Through Jesus
We approach God through Jesus Christ. He is not merely someone who points toward the way; He is the way.
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’”
John 14:6 NKJV
We do not come through our works, personal goodness, or spiritual reputation. We come because Jesus carried our sin, shed His blood, and became our Mediator.
“For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.”
1 Timothy 2:5 NKJV
Our feelings may change, and our performance may be inconsistent, but the sacrifice and righteousness of Jesus remain perfect.
Obtain Mercy for the Past
Hebrews 4:16 says that we come to obtain mercy. Mercy is God withholding the judgement we deserve. It meets us in our guilt, failure, and brokenness.
After sinning, our natural tendency may be to hide from God. However, God invites us to confess our sins and receive forgiveness.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
1 John 1:9 NKJV
Mercy deals with the past. It meets us in our regret, shame, and failure. At the throne of grace, we may confess our sins, receive forgiveness, rise again, and continue walking with God.
Find Grace for the Present
We obtain mercy for the past, but we also find grace for the present. Grace gives strength to obey, wisdom to decide, courage to persevere, and power to resist temptation.
“For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”
Philippians 2:13 NKJV
We do not have to overcome temptation through willpower alone. We do not have to endure trials through human strength alone. God works within us and supplies what we lack.
Grace to Help in Time of Need
God promises grace to help in time of need. His grace is timely. He knows exactly what we need and when we need it.
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
Psalm 46:1 NKJV
Our time of need may be a moment of temptation, a difficult decision, a season of grief, a financial problem, a medical concern, or a spiritual battle. Whatever the need, God invites us to bring it before Him.
We should not wait until the problem has overwhelmed us. When anxiety first begins to rise, come to the throne. When temptation first appears, come to the throne. When anger begins to stir, come to the throne. When confusion clouds your mind, come to the throne.
Do Not Let Condemnation Keep You Away
After failure, the enemy may whisper, “You cannot pray now. God will not receive you.” But condemnation is intended to drive us away from God, while the Holy Spirit’s conviction leads us back to Him.
“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Romans 8:1 NKJV
When God reveals sin, we must confess it and turn away from it. But we must never allow shame to keep us from the mercy that Christ has provided.
The throne of grace is exactly where a repentant believer should go after failure.
Come with Faith and Surrender
We approach God believing that He hears us and responds according to His will.
“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”
1 John 5:14 NKJV
Bold prayer does not mean that we dictate the outcome. We present our requests confidently while surrendering them humbly to God’s wisdom.
“Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”
Luke 22:42 NKJV
Faith says, “Father, I believe You can.” Surrender says, “Father, I trust what You choose.”
Come Continually
God’s invitation is not limited to emergencies. Prayer should be our first response, not our last resort.
“Pray without ceasing.”
1 Thessalonians 5:17 NKJV
We should live with a continuing awareness of God, regularly turning our hearts toward Him, thanking Him, depending upon Him, and seeking His guidance.
How Do We Come?
- Come through Jesus. Remember that your access to God is based on Christ’s sacrifice, not your own goodness.
- Come with worship. Acknowledge God’s greatness, holiness, power, and faithfulness.
- Come honestly. Tell God what you are facing and where you need help.
- Come repentantly. Confess your sins and receive His mercy.
- Come specifically. Ask for the wisdom, strength, courage, provision, or guidance you need.
- Come expectantly. Believe that God hears you and that His grace is available.
- Come submissively. Trust His wisdom, timing, and will.
- Come continually. Do not lose heart or stop seeking Him.
Conclusion: Let Us Therefore Come
How do we obtain mercy for our failures? We come to the throne of grace. How do we receive strength for our weakness, wisdom for difficult decisions, and power to overcome temptation? We come boldly to God through Jesus Christ.
Our great High Priest understands us. Our heavenly Father welcomes us. Mercy is available for the past, grace is available for the present, and help is available for every time of need.
“Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:7 NKJV
Do not remain at a distance. Do not allow fear, shame, failure, or condemnation to silence your prayers. Place your confidence in Jesus and approach the Father with reverent boldness.
The throne is open. The invitation has been given. The way has been prepared. Let us therefore come boldly.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You that I may come boldly into Your presence through Jesus Christ. Thank You that Jesus is my great High Priest who understands my weaknesses. I come to Your throne of grace and ask You to forgive my sins, cleanse my heart, and remove every burden of condemnation. Let me obtain mercy for my failures and find grace for my present need. Give me wisdom where I am confused, strength where I am weak, courage where I am afraid, and perseverance where I am weary. Teach me to come to You first instead of struggling alone. I place my confidence in Jesus and surrender every request to Your perfect will. In Jesus’ name, amen.