Dave's Diary

Daily Reading: Hebrews 4:14-16

Today’s passage offers a glorious picture of what is actually happening whenever we truly pray:

Prayer is not some sort of cosmic phone call to God. It is an intimate, in-person conversation with a loving Heavenly Father. Hebrews 4 paints the picture that, in the instant we turn our hearts and minds to God in simple, sincere, truthful prayer, we are actually drawing near to God, seated on the throne from which He rules the Universe, in a deeply personal way. And we both may and can do so, because our Lord and Saviour Jesus, the Son of God, has personally invited us to draw near in prayer. As we draw near, we approach God confidently and without trepidation, because we know that our Lord and Saviour Jesus fully understands every weakness, struggle and temptation we face in this fallen world, and He is seated at the right hand of our Almighty Father’s throne to ensure our welcome. Jesus Himself ushers us in for an audience with the King, so to speak.

By all rights, we fallen, sinful human beings should be destroyed in the presence of the perfect holiness of God. But, out of the rich mercy of His love for us, God does not meet us with punishment for our sins. Instead, He responds to us and to the needs we present to Him with His gracious, undeserved love, goodwill and favour. Here, in the presence of the God who has loved us each from our mothers’ wombs, we find a warm welcome, loving acceptance, and a listening ear. As we pray, we are assured that God’s perfect love means that He will always respond to our prayers in the way that is best for us, in light of His good, pleasing and perfect plan for our wellbeing, now and for eternity.

So right now, let us each draw near to God in prayer. Let us approach His throne of gracious love with confidence, and find mercy to help us in the times of need we face today. Amen.