Direct deposit of your paycheck is convenient, but it lacks the personal touch between you and your boss. Imagine how different it would be to stand before him and have him ask how things are going and then open his wallet, pull out a few twenties and settle up with you. That would feel different. How would it feel to ask your boss to pay you for work that you had not done – perhaps you had gotten sick or maybe just couldn’t accomplish what he wanted? You go stand before him and ask him to please pay you anyway. There are some things about that interaction – both awkward things and good things – that could not happen by direct deposit.
It strikes me that when it comes to receiving mercy and grace from God, it’s not a matter of direct deposit into our accounts. It’s not impersonal. God invites us to draw near to Him in the throne room. Not hesitantly or fearfully, but confidently.
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. (Hebrews 4:16)
It’s personal, this mercy thing. Face to face. It’s not, “Check’s in the mail” or, “You don’t need to ask, I’ve got you on autopay.” It’s, “Come on in, I’m glad to see you. Let’s talk about how you are doing.” That’s a bit of why you hear people say, “God is so good…”