“A very present help” (Psalms 46:1)

Covenant blessings are meant to be used. You can approach Christ today through faith. For example, when you’re in trouble, you can tell Christ of your grief, instead of going to your friends for sympathy. Perhaps you don’t go to Christ, because you’re afraid He’ll reveal something that needs to change in you. The evidence of saving faith is 1) trusting God knows what’s best for you, and 2) trusting He’ll give you the grace to change things for the better.

 Christ sympathizes with your weaknesses. “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 4:15-16). 

 Are you burdened with new sins? There’s a fountain filled with blood: use it. Has a sense of guilt come upon you? The pardoning grace of Christ is never diminished by use. Come to Him at once for cleansing. Do you hate your weakness? He’s your strength, so lean on Him. Do you feel naked? Put on Christ’s righteousness. Don’t just look at it, wear it. Strip off your own righteousness and fears, and put on the “garments of praise for the spirit of heaviness” (Isaiah 61:3). 

 There’s nothing Christ dislikes more than for you to say you know Him, and then treat Him as a stranger. He loves to do things for you. The more burdens you put on His shoulders, the more precious He’ll be to you. Don’t stay away from Him because you’re afraid He’ll ask you to do something you don’t want to do. The evidence of saving faith is doing what He asked you to do: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). 

 "Let us be simple with Him, then, Not backward, stiff, or cold, As though our Bethlehem could be What Sinai was of old."