On Second Thought
“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” — Hebrews 4:16
There are many believers who sincerely love God yet still approach Him as though they are unwanted guests standing nervously at the edge of heaven’s doorway. They pray cautiously, worship timidly, and carry a quiet fear that God is disappointed, impatient, or distant from them. Yet the book of Hebrews paints a radically different picture. Because of Jesus Christ, the child of God has been invited to come boldly into the Lord’s presence. Not arrogantly. Not casually. But confidently and freely.
The word “boldly” in Hebrews 4:16 comes from the Greek word parrēsia, which describes open, fearless speech and unhindered confidence. Under the Old Covenant, access to the Holy of Holies was restricted. Only the high priest could enter, and only once a year, carrying sacrificial blood for sin. The average worshiper understood the holiness of God, but they also understood distance. There was reverence mixed with fear because sin had not yet been fully dealt with. Hebrews 10:19–22 declares that through the blood of Jesus we now have “boldness to enter into the holiest.” Christ did not merely improve access to God; He opened the door completely.
This changes the entire nature of prayer and worship. We are no longer trying to persuade God to tolerate us. Romans 8:1 reminds us, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” The cross settled the issue of condemnation forever. Jesus stood in our place and bore judgment fully so that we could stand before God clothed in grace. That truth should reshape the atmosphere of our spiritual lives.
The comparison to Orel Hershiser’s boldness is fitting because Christians are often more hesitant before God than athletes are before competition. Hershiser’s teammates called him “Bulldog” because he approached challenges aggressively and confidently. In contrast, many believers approach prayer apologetically, uncertain whether God truly desires to hear them. Yet Hebrews says the throne we approach is a “throne of grace.” That phrase is remarkable because earthly thrones are often associated with power, judgment, and authority. But God’s throne toward the believer is characterized by grace.
Charles Spurgeon once wrote, “The throne to which we are bidden to come is a throne of grace, not of merit.” That distinction matters deeply. If we approached God based upon personal worthiness, none of us could stand. We all carry failures, inconsistencies, emotional swings, and lingering weaknesses. Yet Jesus serves as our sympathetic High Priest. Hebrews 4 explains that He was “tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin.” He understands exhaustion, rejection, sorrow, betrayal, loneliness, and human frailty firsthand.
There is comfort in knowing that Christ understands us more completely than we understand ourselves. He knows the habits we battle, the anxieties we hide, and the discouragement we rarely confess aloud. Yet His posture toward us is not condemnation. The Greek word for mercy in Hebrews 4:16 implies compassionate help toward one in misery or distress. God’s response to His children is not irritation but compassionate grace.
I think this becomes especially important during seasons of spiritual failure. Many believers withdraw from prayer precisely when they need it most. Shame convinces them to stay away from God until they “feel spiritual again.” Yet Scripture teaches the opposite. The throne of grace is specifically where wounded believers are invited to run. Mercy is not reserved for perfect people. It is given to needy people who recognize their dependence upon Christ.
The life of Peter illustrates this beautifully. After denying Jesus three times, Peter could have disappeared permanently into guilt and despair. Yet the resurrected Christ sought him out personally on the shores of Galilee. Jesus restored him, fed him, questioned him gently, and recommissioned him for ministry. That encounter reveals the heart of our High Priest. Christ does not delight in crushing repentant people. He restores them.
There is also tremendous security in the promises of God. Hebrews repeatedly points believers back to the faithfulness of God’s Word. The Lord does not fluctuate emotionally toward His children. His promises remain anchored in His character. When He says He forgives, He forgives. When He says He welcomes, He welcomes. When He says He gives grace in time of need, He means exactly that.
Sometimes our greatest struggle is not believing God exists, but believing He truly desires our presence. Yet the cross settles that question forever. Calvary is heaven’s declaration that God Himself has made the first move toward reconciliation. We are invited into communion with Him because Christ has already paid the price for access.
On Second Thought
Here is the paradox many believers miss: the people who most deeply understand the holiness of God are often the very people who approach Him with the greatest confidence. At first glance, that seems backward. One might assume that seeing God’s holiness clearly would produce greater fear and distance. Yet Hebrews teaches the opposite. The more we understand the holiness of God, the more astonishing grace becomes. Confidence before God is not rooted in self-confidence; it is rooted in Christ-confidence.
That means bold prayer is actually an act of humility. It acknowledges that my acceptance before God depends entirely upon Jesus and not upon my fluctuating performance. Weak believers often think humility means hanging their heads spiritually and remaining uncertain of God’s love. But biblical humility agrees with what God has already declared through the cross. It accepts mercy instead of resisting it.
There are believers today who continue punishing themselves for sins God has already forgiven. They pray from a distance even though the veil has been torn. They whisper timidly before a throne God Himself called a throne of grace. Yet perhaps the greatest insult to grace is refusing to believe it fully. Christ did not die merely to improve your religious life; He died to bring you near.
So maybe the deeper question is not whether God is willing to receive you, but whether you are willing to believe He already has.
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