"Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need" - Hebrews 4:16 (NIV).
The case is familiar. A woman is caught red handed in an act of prostitution by a mob of men. She is hurried to a teacher of religious law called Jesus. The mob knows it has an iron clad case and if this is a true prophet from God once her indiscretions are bared open he will shriek and order her right to the gallows. But then something else happens.
"In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” (John 8:5), the crowd incites Jesus to finish her off.
To their astonishment Jesus already aware of their intentions, simply, "straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her" (vv 8). Much as they were enraged the accusers were not blameless either. One by one they picked up and elbowed themselves out, until Jesus was left with only the woman. All scattered, "Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin" (vv 11).
Something had happened. The woman's accusers had stormed Jesus with self righteous indignation expecting condemnation. Yet from the Lord Jesus this sinful woman met mercy! Oh boy, they must have been dissapointed.
So, here is the point. Before men we all can stand accused; the crowds ready and eager to execute us. But before Lord Jesus we find the throne of mercy. For "The LORD is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love" (Psalm 103:8).
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, to you who is merciful I come to you assured of the love of God which surpasses human understanding, this I pray in Jesus's name!
Related upcoming events
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28/04/2024 - 29/04/2024 All day"The Lord is my shepherd!" (Psalm 23:1)
Psalm 23 of David is perhaps one of the best prayers ever written, with nuggets and inspirations, of benefit to us since and
ever before. “The LORD is my shepherd, “David begins.” I lack nothing” (vv 1). What is it that you lack? In his life David had started out as a shepherd, and he knew very well, that a shepherd’s job is to watch over his sheep, feed and water them, and since the Lord is our shepherd, we his sheep shall lack nothing.Verse 2 -3 says, “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.” This exactly what a good shepherd does; he takes his sheep to the best fodder, ensuring that his sheep are well fed and rested. When the sheep are restless the good shepherd is troubled. Our God desires and is pleased when we are at peace.
Sometimes we may all find ourselves going through a storm. In Verse 4- 5, David says, "Even though I walk through the darkest valley I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” The Christian life is not without difficulties, but here David points us to God as our comforter and deliverer. We always have the staff of prayer to lean on.
In Verse 5, he writes, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” In his tumultuous life, David had to battle with many enemies, ranging from King Saul, to foreigners and members of his own family. He knew a lot about betrayal. And, we too, may face enemies no less, from those that oppose us in our workplace for their ambition’s sake, to those who are not pleased because of the Gospel we preach. Yet here, just as David, we are assured that victory is on our side- this is why our cup overflows.
“Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever” (vv 6). The one who walks with God has a fresh smile ever, for God is with him. The blessings of God are with him wherever he goes.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham,
maker of heaven and earth, as David prayed in Psalm 23, may I not be troubled, for you are my shepherd ever watching over me and your goodness goes ahead of me!
