May 15 Daily Devotional

Bible Verse

"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Heb. 4:16).

Devotional

O dear reader, never forget that it is "the throne of grace" to which you come in prayer.

It is a throne because God is a Sovereign. He will ever have you recognize this perfection of his nature. He hears and answers as a Sovereign. He hears whom he will. He answers what and when he will. You must not dictate to God. You must not refuse to bow to his sovereignty. You must not rebel against his will. If the answer is delayed or if God seems to withhold it altogether, then remember that "he does not answer for any of his actions" (Job 33:13 NIV, footnote). Remember that he has the right to answer, or not to answer, as seems good in his sight. Glorious perfection of God, beaming from the mercy-seat!

But it is also a throne of grace. And why? Because the God of grace sits upon it. And he holds out the scepter of grace from it (Est. 5:2). And all the favors bestowed there are the blessings of grace.

God has many thrones. There is the throne of creation, the throne of providence, the throne of justice, and the throne of redemption; but this is the throne of grace.

It is just the throne we need. We are the poor, the needy, the helpless, the vile, the sinful, the unworthy. We have nothing to bring except our deep wretchedness and poverty—nothing but our complaints, our miseries, our crosses, our groans, our sighs, and our tears. But this is the throne of grace. It is set up precisely for such needy ones.

It is set up in a world of woe. It is set up in the midst of the wilderness. It is set up in the very land of the enemy. It is set up in the valley of tears. Why? Because it is the throne of grace.

It is a God of grace who sits upon it. And all the blessings he dispenses from it are the gifts of grace. Pardon, justification, adoption, peace, comfort, light, direction—all, all is of grace!

No worth or worthiness in the creature draws it forth. No price we may bring purchases it. No tears, or complaints, or misery moves the heart of God to compassion. All is of grace! God is already so full of compassion and love and mercy that he does not need to be stimulated to pour it forth. It gushes from his heart as from a full and overflowing fountain. It flows into the bosom of the poor, the lowly, the humble, and the contrite. It pours into them, enriching, comforting, and sanctifying their souls.

Therefore, dear reader, whatever your case is, you may come. If it is a throne of grace—as it is!—then why not you? Why stand afar off? If the poor, the penniless, the dejected, and the guilty are welcome here—if this throne is crowded by such—then why make yourself an exception? Why not come too?

What is your case? What is your sorrow? What is your burden?

Ah! Perhaps you cannot disclose it to any earthly ear. Then take it to God! Let me tell you for your encouragement, God has his secret audience-room where he will meet you alone. There no eye will see you and no ear will hear you except his. There you may open all your heart, and disclose your real case, and pour all your secrets into his ear. Precious encouragement! It comes directly from those lips into which grace was poured. "But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you" (Matt. 6:6).

Then, upon this promise, go to the throne of grace. Whatever your need—temporal or spiritual—take it there. God loves your secrets. He delights in your confidence. He will honor the soul that thus honors him.

What a Friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
ev'rything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
ev'rything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations?
is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged:
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Can we find a friend so faithful,
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our ev'ry weakness—
take it to the Lord in prayer!

Are we weak and heavy laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our Refuge—
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he'll take and shield thee,
thou wilt find a solace there.

(Joseph Scriven, 1855)

Be sure to read the Preface by Octavius Winslow and A Note from the Editor by Larry E. Wilson.

Larry Wilson is an ordained minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. In addition to having served as the General Secretary of the Committee on Christian Education of the OPC (2000–2004) and having written a number of articles and booklets (such as God's Words for Worship and Why Does the OPC Baptize Infants) for New Horizons and elsewhere, he has pastored OPC churches in Minnesota, Indiana, and Ohio. We are grateful to him for his editing of Morning Thoughts, the OPC Daily Devotional for 2025.