Receive and Find

Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

Receive and find. These are the words that stuck out to me as I read this passage. We are freely given God’s mercy as we approach the throne of grace. At His throne, we have to find grace in our time of need.

Lexicon :: Strong’s G2983 – lambanō – to receive (what is given); to gain, get, obtain

Dictionary.com defines receive as 1) to take into one’s possession (something offered or delivered) 2) to have (something) bestowed, conferred, etc. 3) to have delivered or brought to one

Lexicon :: Strong’s G2147 – heyriskō –  to find for oneself, to acquire, get, obtain, procure: 

Dictionary.com defines find as 1) to come upon by chance; meet with 2) to locate, attain, or obtain by search or effort 3) to locate or recover (something lost or misplaced) 4) to discover or perceive after consideration 5) to gain or regain the use of 6) to ascertain by study or calculation 7) to feel or perceive 8) to become aware of, or discover (oneself), as being in a condition or location 9) to discover

Mercy – Lexicon :: Strong’s G1656 – eleos – mercy: kindness or good will towards the miserable and the afflicted, joined with a desire to help them; of God towards men: in general providence; the mercy and clemency of God in providing and offering to men salvation by Christ

Grace – Lexicon :: Strong’s G5485 – charis – good will, loving-kindness, favor; of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues

When we go to the throne of God, He freely gives us mercy, compassion and forgiveness, because of that we can come to Him with boldness and confidence. When we come and receive His mercy, we begin to find grace. We find His good will, His loving-kindness, and His favor. Sometimes we may find it by chance, because we serve an awesome God. Other times we search for and discover His grace in our time of need. His favor comes to help us. His good will is extended to us when we start looking for and seeking Him.

God is good. He does bestow grace on us even when we are not trying to find it. When we are looking for it, trying to find grace, God does not deny us. We receive His forgiveness. We find grace. We find Him opening doors and shutting doors for us. We find His empowering grace to help us walk though. We find His influence in our lives to help strengthen us and help us to grow in faith and exercise Christian virtue.

Prayer – Lord, I want to find Your grace. I receive Your mercy, knowing I can freely and boldly come to You in times of need.