Verse: Hebrews 12:18-24
You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; 19 to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, 20 because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.” 21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”

23 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the first-born, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

Devotion
We should all thank God today that we live in a time that is after Jesus came to earth and died for our sins. Before Christ (the years BC), you read of God in the Old Testament as holy and all powerful like how he was with Moses described is verses 18-21 above. That was a time of the old covenant with rules and sacrifices, where the blood of Abel called for justice.

After Jesus came and paid for our sins with his blood, we are now under a new covenant. God is still God, holy and all powerful. But for those of us that accept Jesus as Lord, we are forgiven for our sins. God says that He does not see them anymore (Heb 8:12).

Now we can come directly to God, to the throne of grace, with our concerns and our praises. Little old you and I can go to the creator of the universe and speak to him about our specific issues. Isn’t that mind-blowing? Plus, Jesus is there to mediate for us. Heb 4:16 says, “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Are you having a difficult time today? You can take that to God for his help and guidance. Are you sick? Go to God and ask him for healing. Whatever problem you have, you have access to the creator of all things. Who knows all things. And he is inviting you to come to hear you and love you and help you. Now is the time.

Prayer
Thank you, Jesus, for dying for our sins and for rising again to show us eternal life with you. Thank you for making the way for us to approach our heavenly Father. Please pour out your grace and mercy on us today as we deal with the problems that come our way. We need your direction and wisdom in all we do.

Author: Brad Dunn