5 On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance.
Queen Esther, her uncle Mordecai and all the Jews in Susa had fasted and prayed for three days and nights in preparation for her going to the King.
2 When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, HE WAS PLEASED WITH HER (God’s default position for His children) and held out to her the gold sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the sceptre.
Even the Queen (Picture of the Bride, Church) needed to honour and respect the king as she went into his presence.
Two scriptures come to mind as I read about this key moment when the future of the people of God hangs in the balance.
5 Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong. Ecclesiastes 5
Queen Esther and the Jews had humbled themselves before this encounter. Jewish people are fasting today before God and He still sees and knows it. They’re acknowledging and honouring their/our God at this time.
The other scripture is from the New Testament and therefore applies only to the Church,
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 16 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.
We approach God ‘dressed as it were’ in His Son Jesus and we’re invited to do so, particularly in a time of need.
Esther received FAVOUR from the king and came to him with her petition. It’s interesting that in this time of great need she honoured the king first!
4 ‘If it pleases the king,’ replied Esther, ‘let the king, together with Haman, come today to a banquet I have prepared for him.’
The king and Haman went to the banquet and he offered to give Queen Esther whatever she wanted. Esther asked them to return the next day for more hospitality and promised to make known her request.
There’s a big difference between going before the King with our ‘Shopping list of things we want or need’ and going to honour Him.
4 ENTER into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. Psalm 100
Queen Esther may have been ultra cautious because so much depended on her plea to the king. She also brought the source of the problem with her. The king was going to see him at first hand and make his decision right there.
God knows our deepest problems and is sympathetic and Favourably inclined toward us, but He’s always worthy of our respect and worship. We can come boldly because of Jesus, but respect and worship towards Him is wisdom.
God bless and keep you today.