Chapter 49—A Special Invitation

BIBLE GEM

“We do not have a High Priest who is unable to understand and sympathize, ... but One who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning. Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace—the throne of God's unmerited favor [to us sinners]; that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need—appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it.”—Hebrews 4:15, 16, AmplifiedCWG 114.1

QUESTION

Does “help for every need” include help in temporal as well as in spiritual matters?CWG 114.2

ANSWER

A special invitation: “We come to God by special invitation, and He waits to welcome us to His audience chamber.... Let those who desire the blessing of God knock and wait at the door of mercy with firm assurance, saying, For Thou, O Lord, hast said, ‘Every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.’ ”—Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, 131CWG 114.3

Ask help for every need: “We may tell the Lord, with the simplicity of a child, exactly what we need. We may state to Him our temporal matters, asking Him for bread and raiment as well as for the bread of life and the robe of Christ's righteousness. Your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things, and you are invited to ask Him concerning them. It is through the name of Jesus that every favor is received. God will honor that name, and will supply your necessities from the riches of His liberality.”—Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, 133CWG 114.4

“The gift of Him who has all power in heaven and earth are in store for the children of God. Gifts so precious that they come to us through the costly sacrifice of the Redeemer's blood; gifts that will satisfy the deepest craving of the heart, gifts lasting as eternity, will be received and enjoyed by all who will come to God as little children.”—Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, 133, 134CWG 115.1

God earnestly desires to give temporal blessings: “He longs to give you understanding in temporal as well as in spiritual matters. He can sharpen the intellect. He can give tact and skill. Put your talents into the work, ask God for wisdom, and it will be given you.”—Christ's Object Lessons, 146CWG 115.2

In trial: “ ‘Come unto Me,’ is His invitation. Whatever your anxieties and trials, spread out your case before the Lord.”—The Desire of Ages, 329CWG 115.3

Come boldly: “Heaven is open to our petitions, and we are invited to come ‘boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.’ We are to come in faith, believing that we shall obtain the very things we ask of Him.”—Ellen G. White Comments, The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 5:1078CWG 115.4

SUMMARY AND PRAYER THOUGHT

Thank God, He has made every provision for us to make us victorious overcomers and we have no excuse for sin. However, even when we choose or accidently sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, pleading on our behalf for our cleansing and forgiveness.CWG 115.5

We have no excuse for sin!CWG 115.6

God will send His holy angels and the power of His Holy Spirit to assist us in our struggles against our cultivated or inherited tendencies to sin. There is no temptation too powerful for God to handle. It is so wonderful of God that He never condemns us for the wrongs we have done. If we come in genuine repentance and are willing to turn from every known sin, His heart of compassionate love is always ready to cleanse and forgive.CWG 115.7

Praise God for His unfathomable love and mercy that reaches to the lowest hell and picks us up from there and quickens us together with Christ Jesus.CWG 115.8

What a glorious loving God He is! He provides for every temporal and spiritual need we have, more abundantly than we can ask or think.CWG 115.9