Laura Ingle ·

Key scripture- “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most” (Hebrews 4:16 NLT).
Alicia Bruxvoort tells the story of a “buddy bench” that they have on the playground at her daughter’s elementary school. It is a simple wooden seat planted on the edge of the playground and when a child needs a friend, they sit on the buddy bench or when they feel left out or left behind, they sit on the buddy bench or when they need a helping hand, a listening ear, an empathetic soul, they sit on the buddy bench.
This precious playground seat carries no stigma nor shame; it merely issues an unspoken invitation: Will you join me in my time of need?
It’s a question we all have asked no matter how old we are? When the discouragement or sadness looms large, we wonder — Who will offer hope in my hopelessness? Who will extend mercy in my mess? Who will proffer prayer in my pain?
I want you to know that if you wish you had a “buddy bench” you already do. In Hebrews, God reminds you that He has already granted your wish, because you have a Faithful Friend, Jesus Christ, who is seated on Heaven’s throne (Hebrews 12:2). And thanks to Christ’s accomplished work on the cross, you have a special invitation to sidle up to Him in prayer and find help in your time of need. Hebrews 4:16 puts it like this, “So … come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” In elementary playground lingo, that sounds like an invitation to Heaven’s Buddy Bench!
So the next time you need someone to sit with you in your struggles, seek your Savior, Jesus Christ, who stands in the gap, and with childlike faith, ask Him the question that’s burning on your heart: Jesus, will You join me in my time of need? And I know that when you lean in and listen, you will hear Jesus say, “My Sweet Child, I’ve been here all along. I have never left you and I never will”.
Pray this – Our Precious Heavenly Father, I thank You for never leaving me in my time of need. It is so comforting to me to know that You will always be by my side. (Hebrews 13:5). Help me to remember that no moment, event, or detail falls outside of Your supervision. You see it all and You are in control. When I feel alone, fearful or anxious I will immediately come to You. I know that living in peace isn’t living problem-free. It’s living a messy life in the presence of a living God, Who can and will provide divine order in my broken world. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.

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