“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16
Because Jesus is touched by our disease, sickness, infirmities, weakness, and moral frailty, we are encouraged to come boldly and openly to the throne of grace. There, we will find mercy and grace to help us in time of need.
The word need is powerful. The only other time it is used in the New Testament specifically is found in Acts 27, when Paul found himself in the heart of a violent storm at sea. The word help in both instances means aid, specifically a rope or chain for frapping (or securing) a vessel.
(KJV) “Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven.” Acts 27:17
Acts 27:14 says that that they found themselves facing a tempestuous head wind, called Euroclydon. After managing with difficulty to secure the ship’s lifeboat, they used “helps” (cords, ropes) to undergird the ship.
The storm continued and there was neither sun nor stars for many days. Luke writes that all hope for salvation was finally given up. V20 Even though the storm aggressively continued, and all hope was lost, Paul encourages the crew to be courageous. Even though things look bad, Paul says, “I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told.” God is faithful, but there was a condition, Paul and the crew had to stay on the ship. Things continued to look worse, and many sought to abandon ship, but Paul said, “Unless these men stay on the ship, you cannot be saved.” Acts 27:31 Eventually their ship was wrecked, however, V44, “…everyone safely reached shore.”
Consider the spiritual application in obtaining help from Jesus in time of need. When we give it all to Jesus, we will find help in time of need. Just as the crew in Acts 27, wrapped ropes around the ship to hold it together, Jesus our captain will make us secure and hold us together during the storm, nevertheless, the storm may aggressively continue, it may seem as though all hope is lost, but, if we trust GOD and follow His direction in spite of the storm, it can be well with our soul. Even though the storm rages on, we must stay on the old ship of Zion with Jesus the captain of our salvation, knowing He will hold us together and in the end, we shall safely reach the shore.


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