Grace to Help in Time of Need

Because we have a High Priest who “was in all points tempted as we are,” we can come boldly to the throne of grace to obtain mercy and “find grace to help in time of need.” Heb. 4:15-16.

We could ask the question, “When is the time of need?” You might answer, “After we have sinned.” But if you say that, you show that you have a false understanding of grace. We read of “grace to help”; we don’t need grace to help us to commit sin! “No,” you say, “but we do need grace after we have sinned.” Quite right, but is that the time of need? Is not the time of need the moment I am tempted, before I fall, so that I find help not to sin? “Impossible!” you say. But is grace not sufficient? Is Jesus unable to help us?

Let us illustrate this. A mountaineer, while climbing, slips and nearly falls over a steep precipice. He is just able to save himself from falling by hanging onto the ledge, but he does not have the strength to climb back onto the path. He hangs over the precipice, calling for help, but no one hears him. After a while, not being able to hold on any longer, he loses his grip and hurtles down the ravine. He could have been killed, but he survives, calling for help until rescuers comes. His rescuers help him and bring him to the hospital where, after a long stay, his health is restored. Now the question is, did he get help in time of need? “No,” you reply. “He should have received help before he fell.” Exactly! So it is with us. When we are tempted, we are like the man who was in danger of falling before he actually fell. We are not able to stand in our own strength when we meet temptation, thus we are exhorted to be bold and cry out for help. That is the time of need. If we do this we will find grace to help us so we do not fall. Or don’t you believe that grace is equal to the task? Don’t you believe it is sufficient for you? The mistake most people make is that they are not humble enough to confess their own weakness in the moment of temptation and call for help. The power of God is therefore not perfected in them, enabling them to stand; so they fall. And there they lie, as in our illustration, bruised and broken. Then they can acknowledge their weakness and call for help. They should also confess their self-righteousness and stubbornness in not having called for help before. They could have fallen to their death. Some have fallen so deeply into sin they are not able to bring themselves to draw near to God and seek forgiveness. Others, even though they have received forgiveness for their sins, have permanently marred their lives. Such people need a longer or shorter “stay in the hospital,” as it were, depending on how seriously they take it. That is, it will take time before they can regain their boldness and joy in Christ—and then only if they are not superficial in their repentance.

Why can we come with boldness and pray for help? It is because we have a High Priest who was in all points tempted as we are (not in some other way), yet without falling. In all His trials and temptations He never committed sin. He was tested, yet He did not sin. He went through all this not only for His own sake, but in order that He might help us. Now He knows what it means to resist temptation steadfastly, and He is able to sympathize with our weaknesses. He knows what we need and understands how to help us in our time of need.

That is why we can have boldness. We do not need to draw back, fearing that we are not understood or that He doesn’t have the power to help. He Himself stood the test and will also enable us to stand, to follow His steps—He who did not commit sin, etc. Sin does not have dominion over those who are under grace.

Now we can understand the scripture that says, “For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.” Rom. 6:14. It is hardly surprising that those who are under the law fall in sin; after all, they only have their own strength. However, to sin when one is under grace is meaningless, because all God’s power is at our disposal. 2 Pet. 1:3.