Come Boldly, Friend
Mercy me, look who the wind blew up the lane today! Set that worry by the door and pull yourself a real comfy chair up before the biscuits decide they’ve waited long enough on us. So, come right on up here to this ol’ front porch and sit a spell before that ol’ rooster by the fence starts crowin’ like he’s got a real important announcement to be makin’. If your heart has been wobblin’ like a lil’ ol’ calf on new legs, and your courage has plum felt about as steady as a lil’ ol’ squirrel tryin’ to carry two acorns and its dignity at the same time, then pull up that rocker close. This is some real good news for tired, weary souls.
Hebrews 4:16 says, “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” That means we can come confidently to God’s throne. Not timidly. Not peekin’ around the corner like a lil’ ol’possum caught in the pantry. Boldly. That sounds downright astonishin’ when you remember God’s holiness and our weaknesses. Yet, the throne we approach is sho’-nuff’ a throne of grace.
The enemy loves to whisper that we ought to stay back. He pokes at our failures and waves our shortcomin’s around like a lil’ ol’ goose flappin’ around in a rain barrel. But our access to God sho’-nuff’ ain’t based on our spiritual performance. It’s plum based on Jesus. Ephesians 3:12 says, “In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” That plum means if you’ve had a great, shinin’ day, come to God. If you’ve stumbled and sinned, come to God. Either way, you’ve gotta come.
And when the devil starts mutterin’ that you’re plum unworthy, you can agree with him and still walk straight to the Lord. Of course, we ain’t never been worthy on our own. That’s exactly why Revelation 12:11 matters so much. We overcome “by the blood of the Lamb.” The cross iain’t where shame wins. It’s plum where grace speaks louder.
Father, thank You that I can come boldly to You because of Jesus Christ. When shame tries to send me running, pull me near to Your throne of grace. Remind me that Your mercy is greater than my failure and Your help is ready when I need it most. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Now, I do declare, friend! You oughta be headin’ right on back into your day like an ol’ hound dog that has done found the right trail at last. Don’t let shame git to sittin’ on your shoulder like a grumpy ol’ crow and tell you to be stayin’ away from God. The throne of grace ain’t guarded against needy people. It’s plum open to ‘em. So, lift your heart, dust off your worries, and come boldly to the One whose mercy is a whole lot deeper than the creek out in the back pasture and steadier than the mornin’ sunrise.
With joy,
Gwen
