Have a Seat on the Buddy Bench

Hebrews 4:16

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.  

The buddy bench has shown up in children’s playgrounds at elementary schools.  It is a bench placed on the edge of the play area. It serves as a silent summons for help or support.  When a child needs a friend, he or she sits on the buddy bench. When a child feels left out or left behind, he or she sits on the buddy bench. When a child longs for a helping hand, a listening ear, an empathetic soul, he or she sits on the buddy bench.  This precious playground seat carries no stigma nor shame; it merely issues an unspoken invitation for comfort.

As we approach the new year, how many of us are already in need of comforting support?  As we find ourselves burdened by broken relationships, financial challenges or perhaps trouble at work, whom among us would not like to look up in the center of our day’s activities and see a buddy bench where we could go to find the aid that we need.

Fortunately for all of us, the buddy bench has been in place for us throughout our days on this earth.  In every challenging time or moment in our lives, we have the infallible mercy seat of Jesus Christ to turn to.  Our Savior King is waiting on us to turn to Him for all of our present needs.  His seat summons us to come with our burdens.  We are graciously invited to the mercy seat where grace reigns. We can go to His throne with boldness.  There is no stigma or shame in seeking His aid.  In fact, it is quite the opposite.  God is glorified when we go to His throne to seek the comfort of the Advocate that is there for us, Jesus Christ.

Let us go boldly to the mercy seat in our times of need.  Let us confidently accept the invitation to draw near to the Throne of Grace. Let us rejoice in knowing that our all-sufficient Lord is waiting for us to take a seat of comfort beside Him.

Let us also be mindful of those in the world that do not yet know Our Savior King.  Let us be ready to provide a buddy bench for them.

Prayer

Heavenly Father we thank You for the mercy seat that You have provided for all men.  We rejoice in knowing that we have a Comforter that waits to hear from us.  We bless the name of Jesus who insured that our every need will be met when He died on the Cross for us.  We come to you boldly and confidently to receive the merciful pardon of our sins, the grace that we need to purify our souls, as well as, all that is required for our daily needs.  We ask all these things in the name of Our Advocate, Our Comforter, Our King, Jesus Christ.