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We can be bold.
“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he has appointed heir of all things, and through wisdom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory, and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things through his powerful word.” Hebrews 1:1-3
We don’t have to piggyback on someone else’s faith. Our prayers to God don’t require a middle-man.
The One who created the universe, who sustains all things through his powerful word, has given us direct access to the throne of grace.
“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
We have needs. Although we may not want to recognize or admit this, the fact is we all do. From provision for our basic needs, like food, shelter, and safety, to healing, both physical or emotional. Maybe we call on God in moments of desperation. Or maybe we pull back in fear or embarrassment because we don’t want to admit our failure to meet our own needs. Or maybe we just don’t recognize how great our God truly is. Rather than step up in confidence we shrink back in fear.
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 6:19,20
An anchor, as we know, is a heavy metal device used to connect a boat, or vessel, to the sea floor. A mooring is a specific type of anchor which will hold the vessel in place permanently. Made of either a large slab of rock or a barbed metal beam, it embeds itself into the bottom of the ocean where it grips and holds the boat in place through all kinds of weather, including the severest storm.
We shrink back in fear when we forget the One to whom our soul’s have been anchored.
We can be bold.
As the mooring grips the ocean floor through hurricanes and cyclones, rough waters and high winds, so our hope is connected, anchored, to the One who can calm the winds and waves, and who can hold us secure through the storm. Hebrews reminds us of who Jesus is. The author exhorts us to approach the throne of grace with confidence, and to remember to whom our anchor is set.
“Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Such a high priest meets our need – one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.” Hebrews 7:25,26
Jesus, the anchor of our souls, lives to intercede for us. Jesus has taken his rightful place of honor and authority with his Father, and pleads the case of each believer, interceding on our behalf according to the will of God.
And he, our high priest, meets our need.
We sometimes struggle to articulate our needs, or out fear, shame, and pride, we withhold our needs. But Jesus already knows…we don’t have to hide. Through grace and mercy we can approach the throne of God with confidence.
We can be bold.
We have been set free through the sacrifice of Christ, once and for all. We can be bold because we are anchored to the One who continuously intercedes for us. Our needs, spoken or unspoken, are known…and Christ meets each one.
Boldness may not come naturally to us, yet I find myself sitting a little bit taller, and a little bit more confidently, knowing that the One who can speak the universe in place through his powerful word is the same One who intercedes on my behalf. I will tie my anchor in Him.
I can be bold because of Christ.
“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:19-23
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