A Friend in High Places

I have enjoyed introducing you to great devotional writers, from years ago, by occasionally sharing with you a snippet of their work through this eHomily. Today I will do so with one of my favorites from long ago—A.B. Simpson. Enjoy it—

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:15-16).

Our great Helper in prayer is the Lord Jesus Christ. He is our Advocate, ever pleading our case before the Father. He is our “great high priest” whose primary ministry has for centuries been intercession and prayer on our behalf. It is He who receives our imperfect petitions from our hands, cleanses them of their defects, corrects their errors, and then claims their answers from His Father. And He does strictly on the basis of His worth and righteousness through the sufficiency of His atonement.

Believer, are you lacking in power? Look to Christ, for your blessed Advocate has already claimed your answer. And if you give up the fight just as the moment of victory approaches, you will grieve and disappoint Him. He has already entered “the Most Holy Place” (Exodus 26:33) on your behalf, holding up your name on the palms of His hands. The messenger is now on his way to bring you blessing, and the Holy Spirit simply awaits your act of trust, so He may whisper in your heart, the echo of your answer from the throne of God, “It is done” (Revelation 21:6).

So when you pause and pray today, remember you have a Friend in High Places!

Devotedly yours,
Pastor Ron