The protocol was clear. No one approached the king while on his throne except by invitation. To approach uninvited was a certain death sentence. Yet there she stood, ready to enter that throne room. Her need to see the king was urgent. The lives of her people were at stake. A decree for their slaughter had been set. Their only hope was for Esther to gain a reprieve from the king.
No doubt over the last few days, she had recounted how God’s divine hand had been upon her life. Among hundreds, she had been chosen to be King Ahazareas’ queen. Yet even as queen, she knew she had no right to enter the throne room on her own initiative. Death was the law. Fear must have rocked her in those still hours of the night. Her only hope was that God would put it upon the king’s heart to exercise the one small loophole of the law:
If the king extended his scepter, then the death sentence would be lifted.
She would have access to the king; he would hear her request.
With deliberate steps that belied her trembling heart, Esther entered the king’s room. Would he extend his scepter or would he withhold it, indignant that she dared to be so bold as to enter his throne room uninvited? What relief coursed through her when the king extended his scepter and responded favorably to her request.
It was with fear that she entered his throne room.
It was with fear that she made her request.
How different it is for us. For our King, who sits on an eternal throne, welcomes us into His Presence. Because of the Cross, His great grace allows us to go boldly before Him with our requests. In fact, our King encourages us to ask anything in His Name.
Without fear we can ask and it shall be given.
Without fear we can seek and we shall find.
Without fear we can knock and the door will be opened.
He will not reject us or turn us away. His scepter is always extended. We just need to enter His throne room. We just need to be intentional about making personal and intimate times of prayer and praise a part of our daily lives.
The access has been provided. We just need to embrace it.
Joy Gruits is a Christian educator, speaker, and writer. Her passion is to share a Biblical truths that challenge and motivate people to become devoted followers of Christ who fulfill God's divine purpose for their lives.
Click on the title to watch the trailer!
Yes, every moment of every day embrace and cherish special times with HIM. Thanks for sharing, Joy.
Thank God for his grace and new mercies each morning!
We need to embrace it every day. I was helped Joy! Thanks.
we are so grateful that we are permitted to enter His throne room.
I am thankful for the few stores and restaurants open 24/7, but they are never near me. How can I know when poor planning, an unexpected event, or an emergency calls for medicine, food, beverage, clothes, or gasoline in the middle of the night? I’m more thankful for a 24/7 Savior, right by my side, with a neon light flashing “Open.” It fits with my 24/7 impossible needs. Thanks for the reminder, Joy, of E-Z access.
“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. ” Rev. 22:17
Bev, what an insightful analogy.
One of my favorite stories in the Bible! So thankful to have a loving Father who welcomes us with open arms to come before anytime for anything!
Thank you Joy for pointing us always back to the bountiful goodness of our Savior.
Maybe I’m in the minority, but I hear people (people who know the Lord, or have been close to him at one time) say things a lot like… “I’ve got to get my act together before I can be with God,” or some other way of stating that they know they have access, but they don’t want to embrace it. Where can we point people in scripture that speaks of God’s welcome to those who are far or have strayed? The prodigal son perhaps? How can we best encourage them that taking advantage of the access granted to them is likely the EXACT thing they need to become whole again? So many people come, only at a last resort, instead of the first stop.
Just knowing our God is there is so comforting! No matter the time of day, verbal or internal listening to our heart’s problems or emotional out pourings, He is there.
Will,
For those who don’t feel worthy, the Prodigal Son story indeed provides powerful encouragement that is isn’t about trying to earn God’s love or favor. We don’t have to be perfect people (have our acts together) to be in His presence. We don’t have to be perfect in order to come to Him with our needs.
Luke 15:20 “But while he (the Prodigal Son) was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.”
Note:
1. The Father saw his son when he was a long way off (which indicates that the Father was longing for the son’s return.)
2. When He saw his son returning, the Father didn’t require perfection before He would embrace his son or before he would give him the ring, the robe and celebratory dinner.
3. Instead when He saw his son returning, He was filled with compassion and HE RAN to the son and embraced him.
Another helpful scripture may be Matt. 7:7-10. It can summed up this way: If human parents can have great love for their children, how much greater is the love that the Father has for us. And, as parents we certainly don’t expect perfection from our children before they are allowed to come to us with their hurts, their needs, their burdens. How much more does God want us to come to Him with our hurts, our needs, our burdens.