The other day, I was on the phone hoping to get some answers regarding an online subscription. The automated message placed me on hold, and I waited for a real person to come on the line. As the minutes droned on, I continued to wait, but my frustration was growing, as I listened to static-filled music, wondering when someone would join the call.
Another time, I went to renew a driver’s license at the DMV. I had to take a number, sit and wait until my number was called to start the process. Even more unsettling was the digital read-out on the wall that had the current number being served. Mine was more than 10 numbers out. It was going to be a long wait.
Have you ever been a situation where you had to wait and wait and then wait some more for something? It can be extremely exacerbating! I have to admit that there have been times when I’ve actually given up and either hung up the phone or left the facility to try again another time. (Kind of futile since the situation will be unchanged when I try again!)
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if there was never a need to wait to speak with a person? Imagine what it would be like if there was someone who was always ready and waiting to speak with you at any given moment on any given day for any given reason!
There is!
I never have to take a number or wait in a line to speak with my heavenly Father! In fact, the Bible tells me in Hebrews 4:16, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” To “come boldy” means that I can come to God in a confident and courageous way without any fear or hesitancy!
In Old Testament times, approaching a king without being summoned could result in imprisonment or even death as evidenced in Esther 4:11. “All the king’s servants, and the people of the king’s provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.” I don’t have to fear anything when I approach the King of kings, nor do I have to wait for Him to summons me into His presence. God yearns for me to come to Him!
He bids me to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) because He loves me so much that He desires for me to share what is in my heart, and then He wants to share with me what is in His heart! Psalm 100 bids me to “…come before his presence with singing” and “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.”
How can I boldly come into His presence?
- I can come into God’s presence lifting my voice in worship and praise to the ONLY ONE who deserves it… MY heavenly Father!
- I worship Him because He is the Creator of all things!
- “O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.” (Psalm 95:6)
- I worship Him because of His great love for me!
- “Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.” (Psalm 63:3-4)
- I worship Him because He is worthy!
- “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” (Revelation 4:11)
- I worship Him because He is the Creator of all things!
- I can come to God’s throne with a heart of thanksgiving!
- I give thanks because His mercies are eternal!
- “O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.” (Psalm 136:26)
- I give thanks because God is so good!
- “Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good…” (Psalm 106:1)
- I give thanks because He gave me His Son, Jesus, to be my Saviour!
- “I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;” (1 Corinthians 1:4)
- I give thanks because His mercies are eternal!
God beckons me to come boldly into His throne room without having to wait for my turn. God can listen and talk to anybody at any time. If millions of people are pouring their hearts out to Him in prayer, He is able to hear every one the moment they call out to Him as if they were the only one praying! Unlike God, it is nearly impossible for me to talk to two people at one time. If my husband is talking with me, and then my granddaughter comes over to chat, I have to ask one of them to stop talking because I can only give my full attention to one at a time. I have to say, “Wait a minute, please! I can only hear one of you at a time.” But that is not the case with God. He hears me whenever I pray, and I never have to wait on Him.
The heavenly Father loves His children so much that He wants to hear each one’s voice, to know each one’s heart’s desires, and He wants each of us to know His heart’s desires for us. His invitation to come into His presence at any time for any reason is always open, and there is never any waiting! Guaranteed!
Before the throne of God above, I have a strong and perfect plea
A great High Priest whose name is love, Who ever lives and pleads for me
My name is graven on His hands, My name is written on His heart
I know that while in heav’n He stands, No tongue can bid me thence depart
No tongue can bid me thence depart
(from “Before the Throne of God” by Charitie Lees Smith)
“In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.” – Ephesians 3:12
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The invitation is always there. Why not accept it and spend some time with God today?
(Special thanks to my sweet friend, Barb Depew, for sharing her thoughts on “Entering the Throne Room Boldly” and allowing me to expound on them!)