The End of the Road

“Let us then approach the 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


Esther trembled in the doorway. Would the king raise his scepter or keep it by his side? Compelled by need, she had come to the throne, but would she be greeted with grace or be shown no mercy?

Mercy and grace. Esther desired them, and so do we. The two not only save us; they sustain us. Mercy is not getting what we do deserve. Grace is getting what we don’t deserve. Never a day goes by that we don’t need God’s mercy. Not a moment passes that we don’t need His grace. And both are always available. “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need”(Heb. 4:16).

In our struggles, our sorrows, and our sin, we approach the throne hoping for a handout, and at the end of the royal road (which according to Moses is not yellow brick but blue sapphire- Ex. 24:10), we are warmly welcomed by a God who is rich in mercy(Eph 2:4) and who abundantly pours out grace(1 Tim. 1:14).

The justice of the cross allows such generosity. The One sitting on the throne paved the way, and His throne is a place of grace—not of guilt. It is there we find new mercies every morning(Lam. 3:23). It is there we are given strength and courage for the day(Heb. 13:9, 2 Thess. 2:16).

Thankfully for Esther, her story had a happy ending. King Xerxes raised his scepter and granted her request. When we ask for mercy and grace, our King will grant our requests, too.

His door is never locked.
His scepter is always lifted.
His throne is always grace.