DEVOTION – DAY 487

Hebrews 4:16 “Jesus’ Help In Times of Need”

Hebrews 4:16 “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

The context of this section of Hebrews is that Jesus Christ is revealed as the Great High Priest who have ascended into Heaven. He now intercedes on our behalf in heaven. We can approach the throne of God with confidence. This is because Jesus is our Great High Priest. He has experienced all kinds of human temptation. He stands ready to offer us immediate and sympathetic help, when we are tempted. 

A young woman went abroad to UK to further her tertiary education. She shared an apartment with other young women. Like many of her flat-mates, she had many invitations to attend parties, dates, and nights out to pubs and nightclubs. So, she tried to balance her academic studies with an active social life. She enjoyed the attention of young men whom she met at her University. She was physically attracted to some of them. 

But as a Christian, she struggled to draw the line beyond which she knew she must not cross over. She must stay away from all sexual immorality. But she found that temptation was strong. Her flat-mates did not seem to have any such inhibitions. They even teased her for being old-fashioned. She wanted to be seen as sophisticated and yet innocent at the same time. So, she could only cry out to the Lord. She knew that the Lord would know what sort of temptations she was struggling with. She asked the Lord for strength to flee from such temptations. She asked the Lord to help her to remained focused on her studies. In the end, she was able to complete her degree with good grades. She was able to flee from her temptations. The Lord gave her the strength to resist temptations. She also moved to share a flat with flat-mates who more studious and less promiscuous. Looking back, she realized that she could seek the Lord’s help because He had suffered worse temptations. Since He triumphed over all temptations, He could help her overcome her own weaknesses and temptations. She could approach the throne of grace with confidence and know that He is there for her.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for allowing us to approach your throne of grace in confidence. Thank you for being our Personal God, who knows our every weakness and who can help us to flee from every temptation. Please help us to walk closely by your side. We pray this in the wonderful name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Questions

  1. What are some temptations you struggle with? How successful have you been in your battles with such temptations? Share.
  2. How have you been resisting these temptations? How has the Lord helped you in resisting these temptations?
  3. Why should you flee from such temptations? Read James 1:13-15.