Encouragement for Your Week: June 29-July 5
This Week’s Verse
“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”
—Hebrews 4:16 (NLT)
Devotion
The sacrifice of Jesus Christ was far greater than the sacrifices made under the Law of Moses. Those earlier offerings were symbolic—they pointed toward something greater. Jesus’ sacrifice was that greater reality.
Under the Mosaic Law, only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies, and only once a year, to offer sacrifices for the people’s sins. But Jesus, as our great High Priest, entered not just a temple, but heaven itself, to offer His own blood on our behalf (Hebrews 4:14).
Those old sacrifices had to be repeated year after year, and they could never truly cleanse people or make them right before God. In contrast, Jesus’ sacrifice happened once and was completely sufficient. His offering has the power to actually make us holy (Hebrews 10).
Because of the power and finality of Christ’s sacrifice, we can now approach God with confidence. We don’t have to be held back by fear or shame. Jesus has made us clean. He has brought us near to God (Ephesians 2:13), and we are now free to come before Him without hesitation.
When we come to God's throne, we are promised both mercy and grace. Mercy means we are forgiven—completely and continually—because Jesus already paid for our sins. Grace is God's help and strength, which He provides exactly when we need it most. In our struggles, pain, confusion, or weakness, God invites us to come to Him boldly, not timidly, and to trust that He will respond with love and help.
If you’ve ever felt unsure or unworthy when praying, try something new starting today. You are not coming before a distant, angry God—you’re coming to a gracious Father who welcomes you with open arms. Jesus has made the way clear. So come boldly, come often, and expect Him to meet you there.
This Week’s Challenge
This week, take five minutes each day to come boldly to God in prayer—no filter, no pretending. Tell Him honestly what you’re struggling with, what you need help with, or where you feel weak. Then, ask Him for the mercy and grace He promises in Hebrews 4:16. Trust that He hears you and will meet you there, even if you don’t feel it right away.