I was thirteen when my sister, Sadie, was born, and we’ve been besties since day one. My family likes to joke that she’s my daughter, since she’s a picture of what I looked like when I was her age. The same chocolate brown eyes, wispy dark hair, and smile. Because of this, I’m known around our house as her “Mama Ellie.” Our bond is super special and something I’ll always treasure.

Soon after Sadie turned one, she learned to say my name—or at least, she did the best she could. “Eh-yee!” she would call, and I would come. She wanted to share just about everything with me, whether it was a dab of oatmeal on her finger that she wanted wiped off, a cup she spilled, or if she desired to go outside. Sometimes she said my name for no apparent reason at all, but just because she wanted my attention, or because she wanted to show me something she was proud of or puzzled over. Her love and devotion for me, and mine for her, were unmatchable (and still are).

One-year-old Sadie was confident, knowing I would be there for her—no matter what. Whether she was making good choices or getting in trouble. She knew I loved her regardless.

In a way, we’re all like toddlers, just learning to speak, excited over every little discovery, agonized in every crisis, and longing for attention. But do we have the confidence to approach God and call out, “Abba, Father”? Or do we draw back, afraid that He won’t answer because of our insufficiency? Do we get buried in our guilt and shame over past mistakes and forget the overwhelming floods of grace He’s promised to those who love Him?

The passage for this past week’s sermon really hit home for me, particularly Hebrews 14:16: “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.” (emphasis mine)

In those times when remorse over my sins runs deep, I feel especially unworthy to come before God in prayer. The enemy loves those times. He dances a jig in my ear and reminds me of all I’ve done wrong. You deserve to feel guilty, he whispers. There’s no healing for you. You’re too far gone.

But as I commit myself to prayer, those whispers get replaced by a deep inner peace, like a bubbling creek flowing all through my body. I lose my confidence in the flesh for my confidence in God’s righteousness alone. It’s then that I realize I am not worthy in the slightest, but Jesus, by His blood, invites me in anyway. His faithfulness becomes my confidence.

Every day, every moment, we need God’s truth to pervade our hearts. We need the power of the Spirit to fill us. We need to remember that while we’re not always faithful, He is faithful—not because of anything we’ve done, but because He can’t deny Himself. (2 Timothy 2:13)

Hebrews 12:2 tells us Jesus is not only the author, but also the perfecter (or, depending on the Bible translation you’re reading, the finisher) of faith. The more we focus upon Him, the less we focus upon ourselves, and the more confident in His mercy we become. Our salvation and access into the Kingdom of God does not depend on us, and thank the Lord for that! Scripture tells us we’re not humanly capable of even as simple a thing as calling on Him—it’s the Spirit in us who cries out to the Father. (Romans 8:15, Galatians 4:6)

What (or who) have we placed our confidence in today? Our flesh? Another person? Are we being hindered in our walk with Christ because of it? Like Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, are we running, scared, when God calls?

Or are we standing strong, abiding in Him, staying confident for both the everyday and the end of the age when He comes back for us? (1 John 2:28)

This week, let’s make an effort to choose the latter, asking God to strengthen us by His grace. (Hebrews 13:9) We’re called to be holy as He is holy and allow Him to be enough for us. Cloaked in His righteousness, we can rest assured, knowing His love for us is relentless and will never falter.

Contemporary Christian artist Chris Tomlin has a song I listen to called “Yes and Amen,” which I encourage you to look up. Below are some of my favorite verses from that song, perfect for this week’s devotion:

Father of kindness, you have poured out grace
You brought me out of darkness
You have filled me with peace
Giver of mercy, you're my help in time of need
Lord I can't help but sing

Faithful, you are
Faithful forever you will be
Faithful, you are

All your promises are yes and Amen

I will rest in your promises
My confidence is your faithfulness.