Grace in Time of Need

 

I was about 20 when I received my first major traffic violations. It was probably during our first year of marriage, and my husband was in the process of switching the insurance on our vehicles. 

Unfortunately, there were a few days when the insurance lapsed. Of all days, it happened to be the day I was running late to my dentist appointment, and ran into a speed patrol on my way there.  

Long story short, my car was towed, and I ended up with five different traffic violations that day. I remember calling my husband in tears; I was mortified. We immediately contacted our family attorney who assured us not to worry—he would do everything in his power.

The court date finally arrived. I showed up, but my attorney was nowhere to be found. I anxiously waited for my turn, hoping they wouldn't call my name just yet. I was furious inside; why wasn't he here while I waited? Everyone else had an attorney representing them at their side.

After anxiously waiting for over an hour with no sign of my attorney, they finally called my name. Just as I made my way forward, the courtroom door flew open, and my attorney rushed in to stand beside me. I didn’t even have a chance to say a word. He spoke a mile a minute, exchanged a few comments with the judge, and then I was told I was all set to go. All that needless anxiety.

My courtroom experience very closely resembles my reliance on God's grace during various situations in my life. I earnestly desire His presence to assure me days in advance.  I want him to comfort me as I patiently await the outcome. In those long moments of waiting, I sometimes fear He won't show up, much like my attorney. Yet, I have come to realize that God's grace arrives precisely at the right moment—never a minute early, never a minute late. Not once has He let me down; His grace has always supported me when I needed it most.

Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment]. (Heb 4:16 Am)