Hebrews 4:16

Hebrews 4:16

I. We have here the idea of majesty. God is seated upon a throne. His estate is royal. To Him belongs kingly authority. He is to be approached as a monarch, with reverence and worship. The royal majesty of Jehovah rests not only on His power, but still more on His perfection, especially His moral perfection.

II. We have here the idea of sovereignty. The sovereign occupant of a throne acts not of constraint, nor merely as limited by law or promise, nor always as his subjects may desire or request; but in proportion as he is a sovereign he acts according to his own conclusions as to what is wise, and right, and befitting. Absolute sovereignty cannot safely be trusted to a creature. But to God absolute sovereignty belongs. In coming to God, then, we must bear in mind that we are coming to a sovereign.

III. We have here the idea of wealth or abundance. Plenty beseems the royal estate. Wealth properly surrounds a throne. Riches and honour are the fit appurtenance of a crown. In this respect the throne of God has its due accompaniment. To Him belongs the wealth of the universe. His kingdom ruleth over all. It is the privilege of the believer to remember this when he approaches God in prayer.

IV. We have here the idea of liberality or bountifulness. Great wealth does not necessarily imply great beneficence. It is only where the possessor is of a kind and generous spirit that his wealth becomes a blessing to others. Now in this respect God commends Himself to our admiring and grateful confidence. His generosity is as boundless as His wealth. Let us cultivate just views of God as at once a King and a Father a King almighty and glorious, and a Father full of compassion and tenderness.

W. Lindsay Alexander, Sermons,p. 287.

References: Hebrews 4:16. Spurgeon, Sermons,vol. xvii., No. 1024; R. Glover, Christian World Pulpit,vol. vi., p. 88; H. W. Beecher, Sermons,vol. ii., p. 143; Homiletic Magazine,vol. ix., p. 329. Hebrews 5:1; Hebrews 5:2. H. W. Beecher, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xxiii., p. 229.