8 months.  It’s been a little over 8 months since I saw him, talked with him, hugged him; 8 months since I have seen that silly “oh, mom” grin.  It feels like forever ago, and yet the pain still stings like it was yesterday.  I run to the Word. 

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.  Hebrews 4:16

In the precious words of this passage I am told of the place I should go in my time of need, the procedure to follow, and the purpose for going.  This verse holds tremendous promise for this bereaved mother. There is a place for believers to go when they are feeling overwhelmed and desperate.  The place is “God’s throne of grace.”  Do not wait until you are at the end of yourself.  Be acquainted with His throne and run there often.  I can tell you from experience, He will lift your burden.

This verse also tells me how I am to come to this throne; “with confidence.”  I can speak freely and frankly to my Heavenly Father, because by faith I have access to Him.  I can tell God exactly what I need without hesitation. He loves me, He knows my pain, He can bring comfort.

Lastly, the purpose for running to the throne with confidence is “that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”   I need mercy because of my sins and failures.  I  need grace, because life is hard!  It’s so painful sometimes, it’s hard to breathe. But my Heavenly Father is rich in mercies and gives abundant grace for my present hour of sorrow and need.  At the throne of God I will find an infinite, inexhaustible resource of His grace in perfect measure and in perfect timing.

Lehman Strauss says of this verse, “If you are in need come to him now.  No problem is too tough, no petition too trifling, and no power too transcendent for Him to handle.  Let there be no lack of confidence between you and your great High Priest.  He knows you.  He loves you.  He is waiting now for you to come to Him in your time of need.” 

The truth of this text sustains me while walking through month number 8, one of the most painful seasons of my life.  It will sustain and lift you as well.  If you are in need, if you are grieving today, do not delay in coming to God’s throne of grace.