How to Come Boldly to the Throne of Grace Hebrews 4:16 Devotional

In this Hebrews 4:16 Devotional, we’ll discover how to boldly approach God’s throne of grace. This Bible verse is a lovely invitation from our Heavenly Father, to come to Him with complete confidence and receive His mercy and grace when we need it the most!

Have you ever felt so down you thought you’d never get back up? Or so desperate to feel God’s grace that you’d do anything for just one minute in His presence?

In those moments, it can feel like God is far away, but Hebrews 4:16 assures us He’s closer than we think. The throne of grace isn’t a place of judgment or fear but a sanctuary where we find love, mercy, and strength. It’s an invitation to bring our burdens to the One who already knows them and is ready to provide the help we need.

The promise in Hebrews 4:16 reveals the heart of God and His incredible love for us. It’s an open door to the throne room, where we can confidently draw near to our loving Heavenly Father, finding grace in our most desperate times of need. Let’s explore the richness of this verse and uncover the abundant blessings waiting for anyone who approaches the throne of our gracious God.

What is the Meaning of Hebrews 4:16?

Hebrews 4:16 is one of the most reassuring verses in Scripture, offering us a glimpse into the heart of God. It’s a powerful reminder that we’re invited to approach Him with great confidence, no matter what we’re going through. Let’s read this encouraging scripture together…

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 New King James Version

The writer of Hebrews emphasizes the complete confidence we have as believers because of Jesus Christ, our faithful High Priest. In the Old Testament, only the high priest could enter the most holy place, and only on the Day of Atonement. However, through the blood of Jesus, the veil of the temple was torn, giving us direct access to God’s throne of grace.

This verse reminds us that God’s throne isn’t a place of judgment but of mercy, where He welcomes us into His presence with open arms. It’s a place where the Almighty Creator meets our needs and supplies His grace in abundance. Through this bold invitation, we’re reminded that the love of God is greater than our past sins, failures, fears, or doubts. The throne of grace is always open to us, offering mercy and strength exactly when we need it the most.

The Throne of Grace: A Picture of God’s Mercy and Help

How many movie scenes have you watched about a king sitting on his throne? He’s wearing a beautiful red velvet robe, holding a jewel-encrusted gold scepter, and an ornate crown sits regally on his head. One by one people step up to the king’s throne to receive either his goodwill or his judgment. Going before this throne causes them anxiety and maybe even a little panic. Will they be in the king’s good graces or face the guillotine?

God’s throne is just as magnificent, but it’s unlike any other throne. It’s not just a symbol of authority and honor, but of compassion and love. We don’t have to worry about finding God’s favor when we step up to His throne, because He has already freely given it to us, not as a result of our merit but because of His goodness and grace.

The Apostle Paul beautifully echoes this truth in his letter to the Ephesians by writing these inspiring words…

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV

This passage reminds us that grace is a divine gift, given without condition, and it flows freely from God’s throne. When we approach His throne, it’s not about presenting a flawless record but about acknowledging our deep need for His great mercy. Knowing this takes the pressure off, we don’t need to have a perfect track record or justify our actions. Instead, we just need to recognize our deep need for forgiveness and rely on the great sacrifice of Jesus’ life on the cross and His righteousness.

The mercy seat of God was once a part of the Old Testament tabernacle. It symbolized an important truth… God’s presence is a place where His people can always receive mercy and grace no matter how great our need is. Through the blood of Jesus, we can confidently draw near, knowing that His mercy covers our sins and His grace saves us and empowers us to live for Him. The throne of grace assures us that we’re never too broken or far away to receive His help. It’s a powerful reminder that God’s love and favor are always available to us, especially in our deepest moments of weakness.

With Confidence Draw Near: Why We Can Approach God Boldly

Our ability to approach God with confidence comes through Christ Jesus. He lived a sinless life and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God, interceding on behalf of His people. He’s a sympathetic High Priest who understands our struggles because He shared in the human experience. In hard times, we can find comfort in knowing that our Savior has walked the same difficult paths and offers us His strength and grace.

This truth is powerfully reinforced in the book of Romans…

Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

Romans 8:34 NKJV

This verse assures us that Jesus is not only our Savior but also our advocate, constantly bringing our needs before the Father. His intercession reminds us that in our tough times, we’re never alone and our prayers are heard and answered.

This confidence isn’t arrogance, it’s trust in the Good News that Jesus has made a way for us. We don’t have to shy away or wait for the right time to approach God, we can boldly bring all of our pain and problems to Him.

The next time you feel overwhelmed, remember that the best time to approach God’s throne is right now. Through His sinless life, Jesus paved the way for us to enter God’s presence with boldness and great confidence. When we draw near to His throne, we experience the love of God, the comfort of His Spirit, and the assurance that the Almighty Creator hears our prayers.

Finding Mercy and Grace in Our Time of Need

Life has a way of catching us off guard. We face a lot of things that challenge our faith every day, hardship, uncertainty, and even past sins threaten to take away our peace of mind. But in our time of need, God invites us to come to Him and lay our troubles at His feet. He offers us an abundant supply of grace that meets us right where we are.

This truth is beautifully captured in Lamentations by saying…

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23 New International Version

These verses remind us that God’s mercy is unending and His grace is renewed daily, sustaining us in our time of need in ways we can’t even imagine. When life feels overwhelming, His faithfulness ensures that we’re never without His help and that His presence remains our refuge. He provides exactly what we need, at the right time, to strengthen and guide us through every challenge. No matter how heavy our burdens may seem, we can trust in His unwavering love to carry us through them with hope and peace.

God’s help is available in every circumstance. His mercy and grace cover our past sins and strengthen us for the journey. The love of God assures us that no matter how unworthy we feel, He sees us as His beloved children and welcomes us with His great compassion and care. Every time we approach the throne of grace, we can be confident that God will meet us with exactly what we need for the challenges ahead. When life takes its toll, His supply of grace is infinite, promising us restoration, renewal, and hope for a brighter day.

The Role of the Great High Priest in Our Lives

Hebrews 4:14-15 introduces Christ Jesus as our great High Priest, offering us unwavering hope and assurance.

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.

Hebrews 4:14-15 NIV

Unlike the high priests of the Old Testament, who were themselves sinful, Jesus is perfect and eternal, yet fully able to sympathize with our weaknesses. This passage reminds us that Jesus not only understands our struggles but has overcome them, making Him the ultimate source of our strength and grace.

This truth is affirmed in 1 Timothy 2:5…

For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus,

1 Timothy 2:5 NIV

Jesus serves as the perfect bridge between us and the Father, bringing our prayers and needs before God with empathy and understanding. As both High Priest and Mediator, He intercedes on our behalf with compassion and power, offering grace and help in every situation. His sinless life and eternal priesthood make His intercession perfect and unending, providing constant comfort and assurance for us.

Through His work on the cross, Jesus reconciled humanity with the Living God, granting us access to the throne room where we can find grace and mercy in times of hardship. His faithfulness as our High Priest means we never have to approach God’s throne alone, He is always with us. Because of this, we can be confident that we’re fully known by God, fully loved by Him, and fully heard by our loving Heavenly Father. Jesus’ eternal priesthood is the foundation of our boldness and trust, leading us into God’s presence with unwavering confidence.

The Throne Room: Entering God’s Presence

The throne room represents the presence of God, where we can lay our burdens at His feet. It’s a place where we exchange fear for faith, doubt for hope, and weakness for strength. The veil of the temple that once separated us from God’s presence has been removed, allowing us to experience closeness with Him like never before.

This verse from Matthew reflects this defining moment in human history…

Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split,

Matthew 27:51 NKJV

The tearing of the veil at the moment of Jesus’ death symbolizes the removal of the barrier between humanity and God. Through Christ, we now have unrestricted access to the throne of mercy and can enter the throne room with boldness and confidence.

God’s throne room isn’t just a place of worship, it’s a sanctuary of grace where we can lay down the burdens of life and receive the peace of Christ in return. In this sacred space, we encounter the Living God who listens, responds, and meets us with His boundless compassion. This peace, which surpasses all understanding, is the rest of God that we’re invited to experience. It’s a deep, abiding calm that comes from knowing we’re securely held in the hands of our Almighty Creator. This rest reassures us of His unshakable love and His unwavering presence in our lives.

God’s Hand: The Source of Mercy and Grace

As we draw near to the throne of mercy, we can see God’s hand in every detail of our lives. His hand provides, protects, and guides us. Just as the people of Israel experienced His provision in the wilderness, we can still trust in His faithful care today.

This profound promise is wonderfully captured in Psalm 63:8…

My soul follows close behind You;
Your right hand upholds me.

Psalm 63:8 NKJV

This verse reassures us that God’s hand is always supporting and sustaining us, no matter how difficult our journey may seem. His hand is a constant source of strength and a reminder of His steadfast presence in our lives.

The good news is that God’s hand is always near. Whether we’re seeking a fresh start or strength to face a difficult season, His grace is always more than enough. We can cling to His hand, trusting that He’s holding us securely and will never let us go. With His righteous right hand supporting us, we can stand firm in the faith, confident that His mercy and grace will be with us every step of the way.

Practical Ways to Approach the Throne of Grace

Approaching the throne of grace is a privilege made possible through the sacrifice of Christ, but it also calls for a heart that is ready to seek Him with trust and humility. When we intentionally pursue God, we open the door to experiencing His mercy, grace, and presence in deeper ways.

Coming boldly to God’s throne requires both faith and intentionality. Here are some ways to confidently draw near to Him…

Pray in Jesus’ Name: Our prayers are powerful when we approach God through the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, trusting in His authority in our lives and His intercession on our behalf.
Meditate on God’s Word: The Word of God reveals His character and helps us understand His will for our lives. Set aside some time each day to read the Bible and store it in your heart.
Confess and Repent: Acknowledging our sins and turning from them allows us to fully embrace God’s mercy. Take a moment to ask for God’s forgiveness and how you can turn away from your sins.
Seek the Holy Spirit’s Guidance: The Holy Spirit leads us into God’s presence and reminds us of His promises. Listen closely for His direction and wise counsel in your life. Then so what He says, knowing you’ll be blessed for it.
Rest in His Grace: Remember that the throne of our gracious God is a place of rest, not strife. Take your concerns and troubles to Him and find comfort in His embrace.

The next time you feel unworthy or unsure, remind yourself of these truths and confidently approach God’s presence.

A Reflection on the Mercy Seat and the Judgment Seat of Christ

The mercy seat and the judgment seat of Christ may seem like separate concepts, but both reveal key aspects of God’s character that point us back to the promise of Hebrews 4:16. The mercy seat, where the blood of atonement was sprinkled in the Old Testament, symbolizes God’s compassion and forgiveness, which Christ fulfilled through His loving sacrifice. This compassion gives us the confidence to approach the throne of grace, where we find mercy in our time of need.

On the other hand, the judgment seat of Christ reflects God’s justice, where believers will stand to give an account of their lives. As Romans 14:10-12 reminds us…

Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written,

“As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,
and every tongue shall confess to God.”

So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.

Romans 14:10-12 ESV

Similarly, 2 Corinthians 5:10 states…

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

2 Corinthians 5:10 English Standard Version

The judgment seat of Christ is exclusively for Christians, those reconciled to God through the blood of Jesus. This judgment isn’t about punishment but about evaluating how we lived for Christ and served Him on earth. It demonstrates God’s justice, where faithful believers are rewarded rather than condemned, encouraging us to live with purpose and devotion.

At the same time, the mercy seat highlights God’s compassion, reminding us of His forgiveness and reconciliation through Christ. Together, these truths lead us back to Hebrews 4:16, where we’re invited to confidently approach God’s throne of grace. They inspire us to live in obedience and gratitude, knowing that His mercy sustains us and His justice rewards our faithfulness.

Boldly Embracing God’s Grace and Presence

Because of our human nature, we often wrestle with doubt and fear. But the good news is that we have a faithful High Priest who understands our struggles and gives us unlimited supplies of grace to see us through every challenge. His presence is our refuge in times of trial, our strength in moments of weakness, and our hope when the path ahead seems unclear.

God’s love invites us to come boldly, holding fast to His promises. Whether we’re facing daily stress and anxiety or up against the big storms of life, His grace is sufficient. His invitation to draw near reminds us that we’re never alone. His hand upholds us, His Spirit guides us, and His mercy renews us every day. Let’s commit to approaching the throne of grace with great confidence, trusting in the goodness of our Heavenly Father.

In this Hebrews 4:16 Devotional, we’ve uncovered the beauty of God’s throne of grace, the sufficiency of His mercy, and the endless supply of grace available to us. This passage encourages us to embrace His love, rely on His strength, and confidently approach Him in every season of life. So, let’s draw near to Him and find His mercy and grace that’s ready to help us in our time of need. Take this call to heart and boldly approach God today, knowing His love never fails and His throne of grace is always open to you.