Just In The Nick of Time

Hebrews 4:14-16 (Amplified Version) vs. 14 Inasmuch then as we have a great High Priest Who has (already) ascended and passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession (of faith in Him). vs. 15 For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of tempation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning. vs. 16 Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God's unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy (for our failures) and find grace to help in good time for every need (appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it). The author of Hebrews once again tells his audience that Christ, the great High Priest of His people is a great resource for their needs and that He is able to keep them from falling. Christ is our great "Sympathizer" and we can go to Him for mercy and grace whenever needed. What great news that is for us!! We do not serve someone who does not understand our trials and tribulations!! The Word tells us in Hebrews that Christ understands and sympathizes. We know that no one can really sympathize with our sorrows or weaknesses if they themselves haven't experienced those same type of things. But the good...no great....news is that Christ, as a man, has shared our experiences and can therefore understand the trials and temptations that we have, are or will go through, but that is where it stops......Jesus understands because he himself endured such things, but he was without sin as he endured them. He was tempted in every respect as we are, but without sin. In verse 16, we are invited to draw near with confidence to the throne of grace. Where does this confidence come from? Our confidence comes from the knowledge that He died to save us and that He lives to strengthen and keep us. In the Old Testament, the people could not draw near to God. The only person that could approach God was the high priest. Now, praise the Lord, because of Jesus Christ, our High Priest....we can go into God's presence at any time of the day or night and receive mercy and grace to help in our time of need! God's mercy covers our sin, those things which shouldn't have done and God's grace gives us power to do what we need to do but can not do on our own!! G. Campbell Morgan writes, "I'm never tired of pointing out that the Greek phrase translated "in the time of need" is a colloquialism of which "in the nick of time" is the exact equivalent. That we may receive mercy and find grace to help in the nick of time"...grace just when and where I need it. You are attacked by temptation. At the moment of assault, you look to Him, and the grace is there to help in the nick of time. There is no postponement of your petition until the final hour of prayer. But there in the city street with the flaming temptation in front of you, turn to Christ with a cry for help, and the grace will be there in the nick of time." ("Choice Gleanings Calendar") I just love that....to know that I can call upon my Lord, whenever and wherever, in the cries of pain, hurt, turmoil, confusion, frustration, grief, temptations of all kinds, and in my weaknesses....just to be able to look up and called upon my Heavenly Father, who sees and hears my voice because I am His child, His daughter, His beloved! Tears are falling as I write these words because I am overwhelmed with His great love for me. I am NOT alone and I have the greatest resource of all.....God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Are you going through a time of struggle, a time of temptation or weakness? Are you in the throws of pain and suffering? You have a High Priest who understands and has great compassion for you. Look up.....call upon God....and receive His mercy and grace in your hour of need and then make sure to give Him all the praise and glory for what He has done. Just in the nick of time.....always!