All devotions are written by our Founding Pastor Bill Elliff. More blogs and books from Bill at billelliff.com.

Hebrews 3-4 | Understanding God

God’s enemies constantly paint an awful caricature of Him. They love to go to the extremes: a mean harsh, unloving God, or a soft, useless, impotent old man—like a glorified Santa Claus.

But neither of these are true. If you want to know God, you must go to the Bible and read it through. Don't form your opinion with one isolated verse, often taken out of context. Study the whole context to see a fuller picture (a picture which we will only see fully in eternity).


Also, you don't understand God by mere head knowledge. You must come in faith to Christ. You must follow Him if you are to know Him.

Here's one Biblical picture that will help you see God properly.


For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore, let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:15-16) 


Jesus is perfect in love and proved it by leaving heaven, taking the form of a man, living a sinless life (although facing every temptation that you will ever face), and dying on the cross, taking our sins to give us free access to God.


And God, our Father, waits for all those who believe in His Son to "draw near with confidence to the throne of grace." Here, we will always find "mercy and find grace to help in time of need." What could be better than a sympathizing Savior and a merciful, grace-filled Father?


That's my God.


If you REALLY want to know Him, surrender your whole life into His care, and walk with Him daily in intimacy (which we can do because of His grace.) You will discover that He is all you ever dreamed of as a perfect, powerful, eternal, gracious Father ... and ten million times more.


Father, thank You for providing access to Your throne, both judicially and personally. You have done what’s necessary for us to come. And when we come, we find understanding, mercy, and grace. Help me to see You rightly and trust You fully. And give me the wisdom to come into the Throne room without ceasing through prayer.


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