S: "So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most." (Hebrews 4:14-16 NLT)
O: We can approach the throne of grace boldly! The last I heard, Christ hasn't revoked His entreaty: "Come unto Me."
A: My training of how to approach God is VERY subservient. Being female increased it tenfold. (Or more.) And yet Paul, who would know, (as one who was called to the work while zealously destroying it), says we can boldly approach the throne of our God! I, an imperfect, unordained, ordinary woman. I need no intermediary, no intercessor, no bowing or scraping.
I recently had the blessing of being part of a prayer in a family I love very much . . . and I'll never forget how the mother stood in the circle: holding the hands of children on either side, shoulders back & relaxed, eyes closed, face tipped up and smiling like she saw her most favorite face of all. And such a sharp contrast to the Only Right and True Posture of Prayer that was impressed on me. (Legalistic church + traditions = anything different must be sinful.) I have learned SO much about the nature of Jesus in the last few months . . . and I KNOW Paul was absolutely right on this one. We CAN boldly approach God--and our path is the cross. (Keeping in mind boldly ISN'T pridefully.)
P: Lord Jesus, I rejoice in and praise You for including me in Your victory over all things. And that by "all" You really do mean ALL. That I can, with joy, draw near to You. :-) Thank You Thank You Thank You!!!!! In Your name, amen!
