Mensa Otabil - Finding Help in Time of Need (09/27/2025)
There is help for us in the presence of God. When we come before Him, we approach His throne. He gives us help and enables us to do things that are naturally far beyond us. Hebrews chapter 4, verses 15 and 16 states, «For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.» In this passage, Jesus Christ is described as our high priest. He is a high priest in the New Testament; in the Old Testament, there was a high priest, Aaron, and his descendants became the high priests who mediated between God and the people. However, we have a better high priest, and His name is Jesus. He represents us before the Heavenly Father, and look at how the passage describes Jesus: He is a high priest who can sympathize with our weaknesses. Why? Because He became a man, He understands what it is to be human. The passage says He was tempted in every way like us, yet without sin. Just think about it: Jesus went through what we go through.
Have you been betrayed by your friends? Jesus experienced that. Have people said, «Oh, I don’t know him; I’ve never heard of him before,» when there are people you used to eat with? Jesus went through that. Do your brothers and sisters not believe in you? Jesus faced that too. Are there other people in high places against you? Jesus endured that. He experienced what we go through, so He understands. When He plays His role as our high priest, He is not removed from us; He is with us. He understands our fears; He knows our tears. He knows what it is to be human, and that is why He is a competent high priest. Every time you pray, remember your prayer is offered in the name of Jesus. There is one who understands you and who holds your prayer before the Father. Because He is such a high priest, the Bible says, «Let us come boldly to the throne of grace that we may find help.»
Many times we think of the throne of God as a very scary place, fearing, «Oh, if I come into the presence of God, He may strike me with lightning and thunder because I’m not worthy.» We do not approach the throne of God with our own worthiness; we come with the worthiness of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. His righteousness is our righteousness; His purity is our purity; His life is our life. When we stand before the throne of God, we do not receive judgment and condemnation; we find grace to help in any time of need. So if you have a need, come before the Lord. He will not strike you; He will not destroy you. He will help you because He is your helper and because you have a high priest, Jesus Christ, who offers sacrifice on your behalf. Today, I just want to encourage you: whatever your need is, come before the Lord, and talk to Him openly and freely about it. He will give you help in any time of need. There is help at the throne of grace. Go for it. I am Pastor Mensa Otabil. Shalom, peace, and life to you.