Find Grace Before Trouble Comes

Broadcast 4127

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Hebrews 4:15-16 (KJV): “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

It had been seven years since Stephen believed, but he was still struggling with the same sins. He had cried, prayed, fasted, and confessed to God and to brethren many times, but the sin just didn’t go away. At some point, he thought he wasn't genuinely born again, so he answered the call to rededicate his life to Jesus, hoping that the long-standing sin would be conquered. But that also didn’t work. After trying everything he thought he knew, he gave up. “I'll never be able to overcome this sin; I'll just keep asking for forgiveness whenever I commit it," he concluded.

Many youngsters like Stephen have quit trying, and others have found solace in false teachings that soothe their condition of defeat. Teachings that say things like, “sin is no longer a problem; it won’t take a man to hell because it has been destroyed.”

Can one truly be free from sin? Yes, because the Bible says so: “sin shall have no dominion over you” (Romans 6:14). But how does one come to this state?

From today's text, it is clear that both mercy and grace are available at the throne of grace. If you've ever been forgiven, it happened because you obtained God's mercy, and that was possible because you accessed the throne of grace. Many, however, who obtained mercy at the throne of grace did not wait to find grace before leaving, and when the time of need arrived, they failed.

If all you get is forgiveness (mercy), you will fail again when confronted with the same sin or issue because mercy is God's distress response—it gets you out of distress on a ‘per-time’ basis. His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). Grace, however, must be obtained before the day of need or trouble. Grace gives the ability to resist sin and overcome it. This ability must be learned, requiring time, unlike mercy, which is instantaneous. Remember, it is grace that teaches us how to live righteously, godly, and sober lives in this present world (Titus 2:11-12), and time is needed if learning must be accomplished.

Go into today determined to remain at the throne of grace until you have found grace to help in time of need.

Prayer: Father, help me to wait upon you until the grace for my need comes, in Jesus' name. Amen!

—Abraham Damilola Arigi

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Bible In 1 Year: II Kings 11-15 (in today's audio)

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