For such a time as this

It's 4/16 - April 16th. The 4:16 bible verse for the day is HEB 4:16, "Let us have confidence, then, and approach God's throne, where there is grace. There we will receive mercy and find grace to help us just when we need it." (GNT)

I used the Good News Translation for today, because I wanted to say that it is "Good News" that we can come to God with our prayer requests. It's even "BETTER NEWS" that he hears us. The "BEST NEWS" is that he, in his mercy and grace, answers our prayers in just the right way and at just the right time...his way and his time. Let's face it friends, he does know better than we do.

Have you ever known someone so well, that you were pretty confident how they would respond or act in a certain situation? Maybe your spouse, or your children, or your parents? Maybe you know someone who is always there for you. You know that, when you have a need, that person is going to do whatever is in their power to help you. That trust and faith in them comes from knowing them, spending time with them, and being rather confident of how much they care for you and what you might need. I think our confidence in God and our willingness to go to him with our needs may also be reflected in how well we know him; how comfortable we are in his presence. I believe he wants us there. He loves us that much.

This makes me think of the story of Esther in the bible. She knew that going to the king's throne uninvited was something that was just not done. Going into the inner throne room could result in death. She went anyway, because too much was at stake and she took that risk. Good for her, and the Jewish people, he welcomed her and granted her requests. The sight of her was pleasing to him and he welcomed her into his presence. It was the right time and she was the right person to take the needs of her people to the king.

While that story might encourage us, I'm still really grateful that our king is not an earthly king. We have a heavenly king and we can be confident when we approach him. Our king is God; he is holy. He welcomes us at all times; we can always go before his throne. Have you been in the throne room lately? His arms are open wide...for such a time as this. His grace and mercy will comfort you when nothing else can. We may not always get what we want, but we can be certain that he will give us what we need. And, sometimes, his presence is all we need.