Approaching the Throne
Laurie Warner/Receptionist
I love the way God’s Word speaks to us in every situation, even stories that we think couldn’t possibly have anything to do with where we are today.
I’m doing a study of the book of Esther by Beth Moore and it’s such a unique story. The most famous verse from the book is, “Who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this.” God placed Esther in the Palace as Queen to save her people, the Jews, from extermination. She would have to approach the King to ask him for this favor. The weight of that must have been enormous for this young woman. Approaching the King was not an easy thing in that day. The law stated that you could not approach the king without being summoned. If he was pleased with her, he would hold out his scepter for her to touch, if not, she could be beheaded on the spot, even though she was the queen. Hard to imagine!
Before she was going to approach him, she asked her servants to fast and pray for three days. When the day approached, she replaced her fasting clothing with her royal robes. She needed to remind herself and the King who she was. I can imagine it was a long walk down that hall to the King’s throne. In answer to her prayer, he accepted her visit and held out his scepter for her to touch. In fact, he was so moved that he asked her what her request was, saying, "Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you."
What a wonderful picture for us today. Because of Jesus, we can approach the throne of Grace with confidence and no fear of rejection. I was reminded of how many times I don’t pray with confidence but come to God as though He were a reluctant King, and I have to convince Him of my request.
Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
God’s throne is a throne of grace and mercy. He is pleased with us and accepts us because of Jesus. We belong to him. We are His children and in a spiritual sense, royalty. We will receive mercy and find grace to help us. We can boldly approach the throne of grace! Sometimes we have to put on our royal robes and remind ourselves of who we are.
I’m doing a study of the book of Esther by Beth Moore and it’s such a unique story. The most famous verse from the book is, “Who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this.” God placed Esther in the Palace as Queen to save her people, the Jews, from extermination. She would have to approach the King to ask him for this favor. The weight of that must have been enormous for this young woman. Approaching the King was not an easy thing in that day. The law stated that you could not approach the king without being summoned. If he was pleased with her, he would hold out his scepter for her to touch, if not, she could be beheaded on the spot, even though she was the queen. Hard to imagine!
Before she was going to approach him, she asked her servants to fast and pray for three days. When the day approached, she replaced her fasting clothing with her royal robes. She needed to remind herself and the King who she was. I can imagine it was a long walk down that hall to the King’s throne. In answer to her prayer, he accepted her visit and held out his scepter for her to touch. In fact, he was so moved that he asked her what her request was, saying, "Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you."
What a wonderful picture for us today. Because of Jesus, we can approach the throne of Grace with confidence and no fear of rejection. I was reminded of how many times I don’t pray with confidence but come to God as though He were a reluctant King, and I have to convince Him of my request.
Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
God’s throne is a throne of grace and mercy. He is pleased with us and accepts us because of Jesus. We belong to him. We are His children and in a spiritual sense, royalty. We will receive mercy and find grace to help us. We can boldly approach the throne of grace! Sometimes we have to put on our royal robes and remind ourselves of who we are.