“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are– yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:13-16 (NIV)
Reality TV is raging across the horizon with non-stop frenzy. The entertainment public seems to have a vast appetite for it. I think it plays to the warped sense of selfish glee that humanity hides behind to cover personal weaknesses. Now I admit that my assessment could be wrong. In any case, God has a reality screen, which records our personal reality. His is not for a gleeful, entertaining spectacle. His is for accountability purposes.
Can you imagine? All our private thoughts, our secrets, . . . yes even that one we thought no one knew about. Our lives played out in stark reality before his eyes. Even the remotest possibility of this truth should give us pause to consider the various aspects of how we conduct ourselves. Perhaps the “tell-it-like-it-is” maxim isn’t quite as agreeable as some think.
The truth doesn’t end with God’s omniscience. He is also gracious and full of love and mercy. He sent Jesus, His Son, to be our high priest, who sacrificed himself for our sins. This is also a reality, which we should firmly confess. And remember that he can empathize with our weaknesses because he has, in reality, suffered temptations too. Oh the power of such real truth! It produces a confidence that will take us boldly to God’s throne. It enables us to ask for mercy and grace, confidently knowing that he will give it to us in our moment of need.
Dear Father, thank you for mercy and grace. We do not deserve it and are unworthy of it but we praise you for your atoning love through Christ. Thank you, Father, for looking past our weaknesses and providing for our needs. Forgive us our failures and when we have succumbed to temptations. O Lord, do not lead us into temptations but deliver us from evil that we might live for you in righteousness and praise. Dear Lord, when we are tempted, enable us to run boldly to your throne and ask for grace and mercy. I pray this in Jesus’ name. AMEN
Let us praise God for his throne of grace and live in its shadow,