Esther 5:1-2 (ESV)

[1] On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king’s palace, in front of the king’s quarters, while the king was sitting on his royal throne inside the throne room opposite the entrance to the palace. [2] And when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she won favor in his sight, and he held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter.

Often when I pray I picture this scene in Esther. Esther fearfully and tentatively approaches the king’s quarters, standing in the inner court waiting to see if she will be invited in, or executed. Esther knew that approaching King Ahasuerus without being invited was dangerous. Persian kings had a chair set up high enough that it required a footstool. It was usually covered or inlaid with gold. From this chair the king carried out his official business. No one sat in the king’s chair except the king. No one approached the king’s chair without invitation. Persian kings always carried a long walking stick. It usually had a gold knob on one end. This was what the text refers to as his golden scepter. Esther stood outside the king’s room with her life in the balance, waiting and hoping for an invitation. Then she saw the invitation. She had gained the king’s favor. He extended his staff, inviting her to approach. She came, touching the tip of the scepter. She was invited to present her request.

When we approach God we are approaching a king far higher and greater than King Ahasuerus. I fear that we take prayer for granted. We flippantly refer to him. We quickly, and too often, thoughtlessly offer our prayers more out of habit than out of Esther’s desperation and utter dependence. Do we consider that approaching God is of greater consequence than Esther approaching Ahasuerus? Do we consider the proper response to approaching such a great God? “The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him” (Hab 2:20). The Israelites shook with fear. Ezekiel thought his life was over. John fell at his feet as though dead. We too often flippantly treat him as a buddy. Consider these scriptures:

Psalm 11:4

The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD'S throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men.

Micah 1:2

Hear, O peoples, all of you; Listen, O earth and all it contains, And let the Lord GOD be a witness against you, The Lord from His holy temple.

Zephaniah 1:7

Be silent before the Lord GOD! For the day of the LORD is near, For the LORD has prepared a sacrifice, He has consecrated His guests.

Zechariah 2:13

"Be silent, all flesh, before the LORD; for He is aroused from His holy habitation."

Approaching God is dangerous business. But here is the good news, we have already been invited to approach. Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” We don’t approach God flippantly. We don’t approach God glibly. He is not our bff. Yet, unlike Esther, we approach with confidence. We have received favor in the King’s sight. Even as we approach his outer chamber we realize that the scepter is already extended. Instead of a golden knob at the end of the scepter, we see a cross. Even as we fall on our face before him we realize the words he always speaks, “Fear not!” Esther approached the king with fear and trepidation. We approach the King of kings with overwhelming awe and wonder, but also with full acceptance because of the cross. May we never take that privilege for granted.