Boldness at the Throne of Grace

“Approaching God with CONFIDENCE, Not Condemnation”

Scripture Reference: – Hebrews 4:16

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

Introduction: The Heart of Bold Prayer

Every Christian needs a life verse—a verse that defines their walk with Christ, shapes their faith in times of trial, and becomes an anchor for the soul when the storms of life rage. For me, that verse has always been Hebrews 4:16. It captures both the wonder of God’s mercy and the invitation to enter His presence freely through Jesus Christ.

But before we unpack this life-transforming verse, let’s be clear about what it does not mean. Hebrews 4:16 is not a license to approach God arrogantly or presumptuously, nor does it promise a life free from hardship. Instead, it calls us to come boldly because of what Christ has accomplished as our Great High Priest.

Sadly, we live in a time when verses like this are often twisted to serve false doctrines. Some preachers use this kind of “boldness” to justify demanding worldly riches from God, treating prayer like a financial transaction rather than a spiritual communion. They manipulate believers with promises that if you just “sow a seed,” God will make you rich. That’s a perversion of grace. Hebrews 4:16 has nothing to do with money and everything to do with mercy.

This verse does not call us to the throne of gold—it calls us to the throne of grace. It doesn’t say, “Come to God for prosperity.” It says, “Come to God for PARDON.” It doesn’t invite us to demand a luxury; it invites us to receive mercy. The prosperity preachers have replaced the “Throne of Grace” with the “throne of greed.” But the Word of God still stands: the throne is one of mercy, where broken sinners, desperate saints, and weary prisoners find help in time of need.

Every believer, and especially every man or woman behind prison walls, needs to understand this truth. You may not be able to approach an earthly judge again, but you can approach the Heavenly Judge—and not in fear, but in faith. Not in shame, but in the boldness of a child who knows his Father’s heart.

This invitation is astounding: “Let us therefore come boldly.” That word “therefore” reaches back to the earlier verses (Hebrews 4:14–15), where we are reminded that Jesus is our compassionate High Priest who understands our weaknesses. He’s not a distant deity, but a Savior who walked our roads, felt our pain, endured temptation, and yet remained sinless. Because of that, He now stands in heaven as our Advocate—ready to hear, ready to forgive, ready to restore.

So tonight, we’re going to look closely at this verse—word by word, phrase by phrase—and see how it opens the door for us to live with bold faith, especially when we feel unworthy, broken, and alone.

Let’s break down the key elements of this verse and what they mean for every child of God, especially those who feel locked away, forgotten, or too stained by the past to come near to God again.

“Let Us Therefore Come Boldly...” — The Invitation to Draw Near

This opening phrase is an invitation. The Greek word “proserchomai” means “to draw near” or “to approach.” It’s the same word used for priests in the Old Testament who approached the altar of God. But now, in Christ, the veil has been torn, and all believers are invited to come near—not just priests or prophets.

The word boldly (Greek “parrēsia”) means freedom in speech, openness, and confidence. It carries the sense that we can speak freely to God without fear of rejection. In the ancient world, parrēsia was the privilege of a citizen to speak openly before the king without trembling. The believer in Christ has been granted that same access—only our King is a King of grace.

This boldness is not arrogance. It’s not demanding our way—it’s trusting His heart. It’s not pounding the table—it’s laying our heart bare before Him.

Thomas Goodwin, the Puritan, said believers should “sue God on His promises.” He didn’t mean take God to court, but rather hold Him to His Word—remind Him of His faithfulness. As a child might say, “Father, You promised,” so the believer can say, “Lord, You said You would never leave me nor forsake me.”

When you come boldly, you’re not boasting in yourself; you’re boasting in Christ’s righteousness. Boldness doesn’t come from clean hands—it comes from the blood-stained hands of Jesus that have opened the way for you.

For the prisoner, this is liberating. You may not be free in body, but you can walk freely into the throne room of heaven at any hour. You don’t need a lawyer, a pass, or good behavior credits—only faith in the blood of the Lamb.

“...to the Throne of Grace” — The Nature of God’s Throne

A throne represents power, majesty, and authority. But this throne is unique. It is not a throne of judgment (though God has one of those too). It is not the throne of law where the sinner is condemned. It is the throne of grace—the place where mercy reigns because Christ reigns there.

Imagine that! The Almighty God, who spoke galaxies into existence, who hung the moon and the stars, sits upon a throne that dispenses grace. He reigns not with an iron scepter for His children, but with a wounded hand that offers forgiveness.

In the Old Testament, the Ark of the Covenant was the earthly symbol of God’s throne, and its top was called the Mercy Seat. That was where the priest sprinkled blood once a year for the sins of the people. But now, Jesus—our Great High Priest—has entered once for all into the heavenly Holy of Holies, not with the blood of animals, but with His own blood (Hebrews 9:12).

So, when you approach the throne of grace, you’re standing on blood-bought ground. No sin is too dark, no past too filthy, no heart too guilty. The King who sits there is not waiting to condemn you—He’s waiting to cleanse you.

For those in prison, this is not a poetic idea; it’s your lifeline. You’ve stood before judges who gave you sentences, but now you can stand before the Judge who gives you mercy. The earthly judge said, “Guilty.” The heavenly Judge says, “Forgiven.”

“...that We May Obtain Mercy” — The Compassion of the Father

Notice the first thing we receive when we come is mercy, not answers. Mercy is God’s heart reaching out to our misery. It is God withholding from us the punishment we deserve. Every one of us is a recipient of mercy the moment we breathe another day.

God doesn’t ask you to clean yourself up before coming; He says, “Come so I can clean you.” Mercy is the first gift, because without mercy, none of us could stand.

When David cried, “Have mercy upon me, O God,” in Psalm 51, he was appealing not to his own worthiness but to God’s covenant love. That’s the same heart we must have when we approach the throne.

“...and Find Grace to Help in Time of Need” — The Power of Ongoing Help

Grace is not just for salvation; it’s for daily strength. The phrase “to help in time of need” literally means “just in the nick of time.” God’s grace arrives right when you need it—not a moment too soon or too late.

When Paul prayed three times for his thorn to be removed, God didn’t take it away. Instead, He said, “My grace is sufficient for thee” (2 Corinthians 12:9). That’s what the throne of grace offers—not always escape, but endurance.

For the prisoner who feels forgotten, the addict who feels hopeless, or the believer who feels unworthy, this promise stands: Grace will meet you where you are, and mercy will lift you up again.

Prison Application

Men and women behind bars often live under the crushing weight of guilt, shame, and regret. You’ve stood before earthly judges, heard verdicts read, and felt the cold weight of chains. But Hebrews 4:16 declares that there is another courtroom—a heavenly one—where mercy triumphs over judgment.

You may not be able to approach society, your family, or your victims, but you can approach the throne of grace. The doors of heaven are not locked. Jesus has already turned the key with His own blood.

When others refuse to forgive you, God offers forgiveness. When you feel forgotten, He remembers. When you think it’s too late, He whispers, “Come.”

Your record on earth may never be erased, but your record in heaven can be washed white as snow. And when you come boldly, not because you’re worthy, but because HE is, you’ll find mercy for yesterday and grace for tomorrow.

This is your invitation tonight—to stop running, stop hiding, stop thinking you’re unworthy to pray. Through Jesus Christ, the throne of grace has your name written on it.

Final Thought: Living in the Freedom of Bold Faith

We often pray timidly, as though we’re intruding upon God’s time. But Hebrews 4:16 reminds us that prayer is not an intrusion—it’s an invitation. The door of heaven swings wide not because of who we are, but because of who Christ is.

If we could grasp even a fraction of what this verse means, it would revolutionize our prayer life. Boldness doesn’t mean yelling at God—it means believing He listens. It means taking His promises seriously. It means approaching Him as a child approaches a loving Father.

The Puritans called this “arguing the promises.” Spurgeon said, “God loves to be believed in.” When we come boldly, we are saying, “Lord, I trust You enough to ask You for great things.”

Prisoners often tell me, “Chaplain, I can’t pray like you.” But the truth is, the boldest prayers often come from the most broken hearts. You don’t need fancy words; you need faith-filled honesty.

Boldness is not the absence of fear—it’s the presence of faith. It’s daring to believe that God’s mercy is bigger than your past, His grace greater than your failures, and His love stronger than your chains.

So tonight, I challenge you: Don’t just visit the throne of grace—live there. Make it your home, your refuge, your daily meeting place with the God who hears. Every prayer you whisper from your cell is heard in the courts of heaven.

There’s a Throne above every throne. And it is not a throne of iron, but a Throne of Grace. Come boldly, child of God… your Father is waiting.

Reflection Questions

1. What does “coming boldly” mean to you personally?

2. How does understanding that God’s throne is one of grace change the way you pray?

3. In what ways have guilt or shame kept you from approaching God confidently?

4. Why is it important that mercy comes before grace in this verse?

5. How can you “sue God on His promises” in your own prayer life?

6. What “time of need” are you facing right now, and how can you bring it to the throne today?

7. How does this verse reshape your view of God as a loving Father rather than a distant Judge?

   
   

Closing Prayer

Father of mercy and God of all grace,
We come before You tonight, not in fear, but in faith—because You have invited us. Thank You that through Jesus Christ our High Priest, the veil is torn, and the throne room of heaven is open.

I lift up every prisoner reading this devotional. Lord, they have been judged by men, but You offer them mercy from heaven. Many feel forgotten, but You remember them by name. Some feel unworthy, but You have clothed them in the righteousness of Christ.

Teach them to come boldly—not arrogantly, but confidently—knowing that You delight to hear their voice. Pour out Your mercy for their past and Your grace for their present struggles. Be their strength in weakness, their hope in despair, their peace in the storm.

Lord, when guilt whispers “stay away,” let Your Spirit remind them, “Draw near.” When loneliness consumes them, remind them that heaven’s door is open wide.

And may every heart behind these walls find that the throne of grace is nearer than they ever dreamed—just a prayer away.

In Jesus’ mighty name we pray. Amen!

From: Fight the Good Fight of Faith / Life Journal: by Gregg Harris