Boldness at The Throne

Prayer occupies a most important place in the life of the Christian.

His vigor, happiness, growth, and usefulness depend thereon.

In Scripture the utmost encouragements are held out to prayer.

This verse is one of the sweetest of invitations to prayer.

I. HERE IS OUR GREAT RESORT DESCRIBED:—“The throne of grace.”

Once it was called “the mercy-seat,” but now “the throne.”

In drawing near to God in prayer, we come—

1. To God as a King, with reverence, confidence, and submission.

2. To one who gives as a King: therefore we ask largely and expectantly. He has riches of grace and power.

3. To one who sits upon a throne “of grace,” on purpose to dispense grace. It is his design, his object in displaying himself as King.

4. To one who in hearing prayer is enthroned and glorified. Grace is at its utmost when believers pray: it is grace on the throne.

5. To one who even in hearing prayer acts as a sovereign, but whose sovereignty is all of grace.

   • To the throne of the great God poor sinners are invited to come. Oh, the privilege of having audience with the King of Grace!

II. HERE IS A LOVING EXHORTATION:—“Let us come.”

It is the voice of one who goes with us. It is an invitation—

1. From Paul, a man like ourselves, but an experienced believer who had much tried the power of prayer.

2. From the whole church speaking in him.

3. From the Holy Spirit; for the apostle spoke by inspiration. The Spirit, making intercession in us, says, “Let us come.”

Let us not be indifferent to this sympathetic call. At once let us draw near to God.

III. HERE IS A QUALIFYING ADVERB:—“Let us come boldly.”

Not proudly, presumptuously, nor with the tone of demand, for it is the throne; yet “boldly,” for it is the throne of grace.

By this adverb, “boldly,” is meant—

1. We may come constantly, at all times.

2. We may come unreservedly, with all sorts of petitions.

3. We may come freely, with simple words.

4. We may come hopefully, with full confidence of being heard.

5. We may come fervently, with importunity of pleading.

IV. HERE IS A REASON GIVEN FOR BOLDNESS:—“Let us therefore come.”

1. “That we may obtain mercy, and find grace:” not that we may utter good words; but may actually obtain blessings.

   • We may come when we need great mercy, because of our sin.
   • We may come when we have little grace.
   • We may come when we are in great need of more grace.

2. There are many other reasons for coming at once, and boldly.

   • Our character may urge us. We are invited to come for “mercy,” and therefore undeserving sinners may come.
   • The character of God encourages us to be bold.
   • Our relation to him as children gives us great freedom.
   • The Holy Spirit’s guidance draws us near the throne.
   • The promises invite us by their greatness, freeness, sureness, etc.
   • Christ is already given to us, and therefore God will deny us nothing.
   • Our former successes at the throne give us solid confidence.

3. The great reason of all for bold approach is in Jesus.

   • He once was slain, and the mercy-seat is sprinkled with his blood.
   • He is risen and has justified us by his righteousness.
   • He has ascended and taken possession of all covenant blessings on our behalf. Let us ask for that which is our own.
   • He is sympathetic, tender, and careful for us; we must be heard.

Let us come to the throne, when we are sinful, to find mercy.

Let us come to the throne, when we are weak, to find help.

Let us come to the throne, when we are tempted, to find grace.

Expositions

When God enacts laws, he is on a throne of legislation: when he administers these laws he is on a throne of government: when he tries his creatures by these laws, he is on a throne of judgment: but when he receives petitions, and dispenses favors, he is on a throne of grace.

The idea of a throne inspires awe, bordering upon terror. It repels rather than invites. Few of us could approach it without trembling. But what is the throne of the greatest earthly monarch that ever swayed a scepter? The God we address is the King of kings. In his eye an Alexander is a worm; yes, all nations before him are less than nothing and vanity. How can we approach his infinite majesty? Blessed be his name, he is on a throne of grace; and we are allowed, and even commanded, to come to it boldly.—William Jay.

It is styled a throne of grace, because God’s gracious and free favor does there accompany his glorious majesty. Majesty and mercy do there meet together. This was, under the law, typified by the ark. At each end thereof was an angel, to set forth God’s glorious majesty. The cover of it is styled a “mercy-seat”: Exodus 25:17, 18.

—William Gouge.

A holy boldness, a chastened familiarity, is the true spirit of right prayer. It was said of Luther that, when he prayed, it was with as much reverence as if he were praying to an infinite God, and with as much familiarity as if he were speaking to his nearest friend.

G. S. Bowes.

This word boldly signifies liberty without restraint. You may be free, for you are welcome. You may use freedom of speech. The word is so used, Acts 2:29, and 4:13. You have liberty to speak your minds freely; to speak all your heart, your ails, and wants, and fears, and grievances. As others may not fetter you in speaking to God by prescribing what words you should use; so you need not restrain yourselves, but freely speak all that your condition requires.—David Clarkson.

A petitioner once approached Augustus with so much fear and trembling that the emperor cried, “What, man! do you think you are giving a sop to an elephant?” He did not care to be thought a hard and cruel ruler. When men pray with a slavish bondage upon them, with cold, set phrases, and a crouching solemnity, the free Spirit of the Lord may well rebuke them. Are you coming to a tyrant? Holy boldness, or at least a childlike hope, is most becoming in a Christian.

Obtaining mercy comes first; then finding grace to help in time of need. You cannot reverse God’s order. You will not find grace to help in time of need until you have sought and found mercy to save. You have no right to reckon on God’s help and protection and guidance, and all the other splendid privileges which he promises to “the children of God by faith in Jesus Christ,” until you have this first blessing, the mercy of God in Christ Jesus; for it is “in” Jesus Christ that all the promises of God are yes and Amen.—F. R. Havergal.