There is a certainty about the future that we must always keep in mind. That certainty is one that should never be forgotten by the Christian. It is, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he has done, whether it be good or bad” (2 Cor. 5:10). We are called upon to think about that day, to anticipate it, to plan for it and to never forget that towering occasion. There, each of us will tell the story of his life to God.

But, in thinking of that great occasion, we should not forget that God has made arrangements for intermediate occasions. What many Christians have never considered is that it is possible for any of us to appear before His throne before the occasion of the Judgment Seat of Christ. Not once, but many times we can stand in His presence when it is our need to speak to the King about the concerns that we face.

Because this promise is so startling to some, let us remember that this invitation to those intermediate occasions is found clearly presented in the Word of God. The Scripture says to each of us, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:15,16).

Does this passage intend to teach that any Christian can arrange an appointment with the Creator of the universe on any occasion? Is our Lord Jesus Christ ready to have us appear before Him? The answer, astonishingly, is “Yes, a thousand times yes.” We do not have to wait until that great judgment occasion after this life when we are taken to heaven. No indeed, we can respond to that intermediate invitation at any time.

We need, therefore, to be greatly reassured about our relationship to God. This passage tells us that we have a sympathetic High Priest who is Jesus Christ Himself. We need, therefore, to have no human individual intercede for us. Yes, there are many in our culture who call themselves “priests.” But this designation concerning any human being is a title without meaning or authority. What need have we to have a human priest when we have our High Priest “that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God” (v. 14).

Yes, we have a mighty intercessor, the Lord of Glory, who is operating on our behalf in heaven today.

Too many of us mistakenly feel that we are called upon to walk alone and to be simply dependent upon our own resources. We also foolishly believe that there is no solution to our mistakes and no balsam for our sorrows. One of Satan’s great tricks is to promote a feeling within us that we are isolated, alone, disconnected from any heavenly help. But, of course, the Scripture teaches the opposite. It teaches that we have a ready respondent to our needs in heaven, Jesus Christ our Great High Priest.

This passage also tells us that we are, therefore, enjoined to come boldly unto the throne of grace. Boldly, before the throne of God? How is this possible? It is possible because Jesus Christ has died for our sins and He has been raised from the dead. Therefore, there is no veil between a believer and his Lord. The believer, therefore, is not simply invited to come, he is invited to “come boldly.” To come boldly, therefore, is not arrogance, but rather it is confidence.

What is your problem today? What is mine? Has any one of us moved out into that spiritual desert whereby we feel a great disconnection between our heart and the heart of God? Let it never be, because this sympathetic High Priest has invited boldness on our part in appearing before His throne. Not once, but many times, always, this intermediate access to Christ is ours. We need never feel that we have exhausted His patience because, of course, He loves us with an everlasting love.

We have also the promise that before the throne of Jesus Christ we will “find grace to help in time of need.” More than ever people are asking why there are pains, problems, shortages, aggravations in our lives as Christians. One answer is that each one of these things creates “a time of need.” One of the great discoveries that we can then make is that God has promised “grace to help.” Here we have one of the greatest promises imaginable. “Grace to help” covers everything.

Do you have a need in your personal life? Jesus Christ has grace to help. Is human strength inadequate? There is grace to help! Are the things of earth proving a disappointment? There is grace to help.

Indeed, one could make a long list of our human insufficiencies. No list, however, is long enough that we run out of grace to help.

A word of personal advice is, therefore, appropriate. Don’t be afraid, appear boldly before the throne of grace and trust the Lord for grace to help.

In the days of Queen Esther, she sought audience with the king when no appointment had been made. She could have been deposed or killed for that bold activity. Nevertheless, the king, because he loved her, waved his golden scepter and she was admitted. He, of course, responded affirmatively to her request, giving her grace to help.

She is an illustration to all of us. Whatever may be your concern or mine today, we must not forget that the astonishing promise of the Word of God is ours even now. Whatever may be the need, there is grace to help.

Thank God for those intermediate occasions when we can appear boldly before the throne of Jesus Christ. Addressing us from the throne of grace, the Lord Jesus says, “Come, and then come again.”

From the writings of Dave Breese

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