Dr. Mark Lounsbrough spoke in chapel about worry and rest. He looks at how worry robs the believer of rest and encourages the students to cry out to God because He hears. He also urges the students to approach the throne of God with grace boldly. God's help is available in times of trouble.
Scripture Texts
Philippians 4:6-7; Hebrews 4:8-16
Main Points or Ideas
Philippians 4:6-7 - Praying with Thanksgiving
- Paul commands believers not to worry about anything but to bring everything to God through prayer and petition with thanksgiving
- The phrase "with thanksgiving" reveals God's welcoming nature—He doesn't stiff-arm us but embraces us when we cry out for help
- Satan's effective dart is convincing believers they don't deserve God's favor or attention because they haven't reached a sufficient level of spirituality
- We can thank God ahead of time for what He's going to do because His very nature is to desire to answer our prayers
- God welcomes us into His presence not based on our performance but based on His grace
Hebrews 4:8-16 - Approaching the Throne of Grace
- A Sabbath rest remains for God's people—spiritual rest is available even when circumstances rob us of physical or emotional rest
- Verse 16 contains not just an invitation but a command to approach the throne of grace with boldness
- The boldness doesn't come from our own merit or spiritual performance but from seeing and understanding who God is
- We find mercy and grace "for well-timed help"—the Greek word translated "help" is the same word used in Acts 27 for the cables that held Paul's storm-tossed ship together
- Just as sailors wrapped cables around ships to hold them together during storms, God wraps His cables of protection around believers who cry out to Him at His throne of grace
Conclusion
God is not a God who stiff-arms us or requires us to reach a certain level of spirituality before approaching Him. He is a God who embraces and welcomes His children to a throne of grace where we receive mercy and grace that holds us together through life's storms. Seeing God's true nature motivates believers to honor and please Him more than trying to earn His favor ever could.
