Learning the Courage to Come Near
A Curious Pilgrim Reflection
Daily Office Readings
- Psalm 100
- Ezekiel 1:28–3:3
- Hebrews 4:14–5:6
- Luke 9:28–36
One word from today’s readings captured my attention and refused to let go:
Boldness.
It is not a word many of us naturally associate with our relationship with God.
Many of us were taught reverence, respect, obedience, and humility. Those are important virtues. But somewhere along the way, many of us also learned fear. We learned to approach God cautiously, wondering if we were worthy enough, faithful enough, or holy enough to come near.
Yet the writer of Hebrews says something remarkable:
“Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
— Hebrews 4:16
That verse may be one of the most liberating invitations in all of Scripture.
Learning to Come Near
For much of my life, I heard sermons about grace and mercy.
Grace was often defined as receiving what we do not deserve.
Mercy was described as not receiving what we do deserve.
While those definitions contain truth, they can sometimes make grace and mercy sound like legal transactions rather than expressions of God’s loving character.
The readings today reveal something deeper.
The Psalmist declares:
“For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting.”
Notice that mercy is not presented as an occasional action God performs. Mercy flows from who God is.
God’s mercy is not temporary.
It is not dependent upon our performance.
It is not exhausted by our failures.
It is everlasting.
That means God’s first movement toward humanity is not condemnation but compassion.
A God Who Keeps Speaking
The vision given to Ezekiel is one of the most awe-inspiring in Scripture.
Faced with the overwhelming glory of God, Ezekiel falls on his face.
Yet what strikes me most is not God’s power but God’s persistence.
God sends Ezekiel to a rebellious people.
God already knows they will resist.
God already knows many will refuse to listen.
Still, God sends the prophet.
Why?
Because mercy does not give up easily.
Again and again throughout Scripture, we find a God who continues speaking, calling, inviting, and pursuing people who often turn away.
The very existence of the prophets is evidence of divine grace.
God keeps reaching out.
God keeps inviting.
God keeps speaking.
The Disciples Didn’t Understand Either
When we come to Luke’s account of the Transfiguration, we find another group of people struggling to understand what God is doing.
Peter, James, and John witness Jesus shining with divine glory.
Moses and Elijah appear.
A cloud overshadows them.
The voice of God speaks.
And the disciples are bewildered.
Peter starts talking before he knows what he is saying.
Fear and confusion fill the moment.
In many ways, they resemble the people Ezekiel was sent to.
Neither group fully understands what they are seeing.
Neither group comprehends the mystery unfolding before them.
And yet God does not reject them.
Instead, God simply says:
“This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him.”
I find great comfort in that.
God does not require complete understanding before extending grace.
God does not wait for perfect theology before offering mercy.
The invitation is simply to keep listening to Jesus.
What Does Boldness Mean?
This brings us back to Hebrews.
The writer does not say:
“Approach God after you get your life together.”
He does not say:
“Approach God once your doubts are resolved.”
He does not say:
“Approach God after you become worthy.”
He says:
“Approach the throne of grace with boldness.”
Boldness is not arrogance.
It is not spiritual pride.
It is not demanding that God do what we want.
Biblical boldness is confidence in the character of God.
It is the courage to believe that God is as loving as Jesus revealed God to be.
It is trusting that mercy is greater than our failures.
It is believing that grace is available even when we feel unworthy.
Boldness means showing up honestly.
Bringing our doubts.
Bringing our fears.
Bringing our wounds.
Bringing our questions.
And trusting that we will find mercy instead of rejection.
Why This Matters Today
Many people today carry a deep sense of spiritual unworthiness.
Some have been wounded by religion.
Others carry shame from past mistakes.
Many wonder whether God could truly love them as they are.
The writer of Hebrews offers a revolutionary answer.
Come anyway.
Come boldly.
Come honestly.
Come now.
The throne you are approaching is not described as a throne of wrath.
It is not described as a throne of exclusion.
It is not even described primarily as a throne of judgment.
It is a throne of grace.
And grace is where mercy meets us before we have all the answers.
A Curious Pilgrim Reflection
As I reflected on these readings today, I realized that boldness may be one of the greatest acts of faith.
Not the boldness of certainty.
Not the boldness of having everything figured out.
But the boldness of trust.
The Psalmist tells us God’s mercy is everlasting.
Ezekiel shows us a God who never stops speaking.
The Transfiguration reveals God’s glory shining through Christ.
Hebrews invites us to come near.
Together they tell one story:
God is not hiding from us.
The question is whether we will have the courage to stop hiding from God.
Perhaps the invitation today is simple:
Come boldly.
Not because you are worthy.
Not because you understand everything.
Not because you have achieved spiritual perfection.
Come boldly because God’s mercy is everlasting, God’s grace is abundant, and God’s arms remain open.
The throne before us is a throne of grace.
And we are invited to come near.
“Let us then approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
— Hebrews 4:16
The Curious Pilgrim 🚶♂️✨
Reflections on faith, family, and mysterious grace
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