Going Before The Throne

I want to compare and contrast a two verses and see what we can learn from them about prayer.  

First, let's look at Esther 4:11.  This verse tells us, "All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that any man or woman who goes into the inner court to the king, who has not been called, he has but one law: put all to death, except the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter, that he may live."  This verse tells us that in the kingdom of the Medes and Persians, you could not just go see the king anytime you wanted.  If you weren't invited and the king didn't want to see you, you forfeited your life.  Esther, the king's wife, is the person speaking in this verse so it shows that it didn't matter what your relationship was with the king.  Bottom line, you literally took your life in your hands if you approached this king at his throne!

Now let's read Hebrews 4:16.  This verse tells us, "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."  This verse tells us we can go to the throne of grace where the King of Kings sits at anytime!  We are welcome before His throne at all times on all days.  (It's interesting to note that one definition of the word 'boldly' is 'freedom in speaking, unreservedness in speech.' we don't need to hold anything back when we open our hearts to the Lord!)

In Hebrews 4:16 we are encouraged and beckoned to go before the throne.  Contrast that with the fear the men and women had in approaching the throne of a mere man in Esther 4:11.  The truth is, we can go before God's throne and seek what we need from Him.  He will not turn us away.

Be encouraged, don't fear to go before the Lord and speak freely about what you need and how He can help you!