Reflections on Faith: Invited to the Throne Room

Do you ever just get struck by something about God that leaves you full of amazement and love for Him? I had one of those moments recently and wanted to share it.

I was listening to a podcast (this one, which I recommend) that is based on the book of Esther. After hearing the speaker read a few verses, I had to push pause because I was thinking about the throne room Esther was preparing to enter, and how much it contrasted to another throne room in the Bible.

Here’s a summary of the verses: Esther the queen is Jewish, but nobody, not even the king, knows it. She learns about a plot to kill her people, so she takes on what she sees as her God-given duty to save them. The problem? She has to go talk to the king, and he’s in the throne room. If you haven’t been invited there, the king could sentence you to death for even coming in—unless he extends his scepter to you as a sign that he’ll spare your life (Esther 4:10-12).

After listening to these verses, A LOT of thoughts were going through my mind.

Typically, if you read any history, or watch any period-drama or fantasy movie, you know the throne room is the place where you go to have an audience with the ruler. You can even see this play out in movies like The Emperor’s New Groove! So this rule of the king’s seems pretty extreme. Its’s not like people are invading the king’s private rooms. If you can’t even expect to talk to the king in the room literally intended for that purpose, well good luck!

And this is the QUEEN we’re talking about for crying out loud. Even she doesn’t get a free pass. She risks death by even approaching the throne. As she explains, it’s “against the law” (Esther 4:16).

But this guy is the king, and he uses fear to make sure everybody knows how powerful he is.

If you’ve read what happens next, you know the king allows Esther to enter, and God uses Esther to save the Jewish people.

This exchange brought to mind another, vastly different throne room: God’s.

Contrast what we’ve just seen in the book of Esther to this verse in Hebrews:

“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrew 4:16 NIV).

Different translations use the word “boldness” to describe the way we’re to approach God’s throne.

What a difference! Esther had to walk up to a temperamental king, fearing his wrath or whim would cost her life. We, on the other hand, are given an invitation to approach God without fear.

And in fact, we’re not just invited to visit the throne room. We’re invited to stay. I love the hymn “Before the Throne of God Above,” which reminds us that our “great High Priest, whose Name is Love” did everything in His power so that “No tongue can bid me thence depart.” No one is kicking us out of this throne room! Ever!

Remember how Esther risked death to enter the throne room? In a dramatic reversal, the King of Kings himself faced death so that we can enter the throne room. He took our place so that we could enter in. (Hebrews 10:19-22)

What a beautiful reminder that our King moved heaven and earth to invite you into His presence!