Brazenly Yours

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. – Hebrews 4:16

Three times I’ve been appointed Power of Attorney by someone wanting me to manage their business in light of serious illness, and each time the person in question was much wealthier than me.

That meant I had discretion to write checks, make sales, and transfer money that I had not earned, the amounts of which were much larger than the figures I usually deal with. It’s heady stuff, but Power of Attorney is a position of trust, a vote of confidence given by someone who says, in essence, “You will henceforth have the ability to manage and utilize all I have, by my express choice and authority.”

Each time I’ve done it, I’ve noticed an irrational guilty feeling in my gut when going to the bank and withdrawing or directing funds. I’ve felt like a fraud trying to pass himself off as wealthy, putting his name to resources he has no right to touch, much less use. I remember on one occasion, looking around at the tellers and managers, thinking “They all know I‘m fake. I flunked algebra. I clip coupons. I know nothing of numbers and dollars, so any minute someone will come out and arrest me for impersonating an adult.” But then there’s that sheet of paper, duly notarized, naming and endowing me with authority. My competence or lack thereof has nothing to do with it, nor, for that matter, does the opinion of anyone who thinks I’m unfit. The owner of the estate authorized me by name, by choice, and with that firmly in mind, I can go ahead and write the check.

In Hebrews 4:16 God appoints us to walk in, go straight to the counter and sign. It seems a huge contradiction – come boldly, but not when (or because) you’ve performed well. On the contrary, come in the time of need. Not only that, but come boldly, in the time of need, before the throne, a place one normally treads softly, showing deference and hesitancy. In fact, the Greek word translated “boldly” means, among other things, “free and fearless confidence, cheerful courage.” It may as well say “Barge into the holiest of places, don’t bother to knock, enter and chill.” Seems brazen, but if that’s what the Royalty behind the throne said to do, is it really an act of presumption, or of obedience?

Certainly it would be presumption if I tried it on my own authority. If I visited a bank holding accounts for any of the people I’ve served as Power of Attorney, and tried to cash checks without that POA paper, I’ve be stumped. If I said, “I’ve got hundreds of thousands invested here, so pay up” they’d check my name, then my assets, then ask me for the punch-line. Likewise, if I said, “Well, I’m qualified to handle hundreds of thousands, even though I don’t have them, so pay up” then they’d logically ask on what authority I presumed to make such a claim. So on my own, I won’t get past the security guard. But with that authorization from the owner, I’ve got access to more than I could ever generate, and capacities I’d never have without his express consent. Did I say consent? I meant, direction! The account holder is, after all, the one who said “I both choose and authorize you to utilize all that I have.”

Likewise, coming boldly before the throne, at the directive of the authority giving King, is hardly presumption. It’s an order.

I know this can be twisted into magical thinking. Just as the Power of Attorney limits me to usages the owner would approve of, so my boldness before the throne doesn’t give me carte blanche to grab every little thing I want. But it does grant me more God given prerogative than I’m inclined to use. My righteousness or lack thereof has nothing to do with it, nor, for that matter, does the opinion of anyone who thinks I’m unfit. The owner of the estate authorized me by name, by choice. He took full punishment for past, present, and future transgressions on my part, transgression which no longer blot my credit report. He placed my name in the Book of Life, put His Spirit within me, authorized me by commission then said Go. And with that firmly in mind, I can go ahead and write the check.

So today if I’m weak, depressed, struggling, stumbled, exhausted or numb, I’m a perfect candidate for bold entry. A new and living way has been made for me, by which I can enter His throne room saying “Here is my need; there are Your resources; let’s talk. You’ve given me Your name, Your authority, Your commission and divine access. I pray for the holy boldness to use them well. And I remain, as always, Brazenly Yours.”