Approaching the Throne

Hebrews 4:16
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence.


Can approaching a throne of a king be intimidating?  How about the King of kings?  How about Creator of the universe?


Picture yourself approaching a throne of a king, the seat of one with royal authority and much power.  That is intimidating.  That could make you feel powerless and maybe fearful.  It would certainly cover your mind with questions and some uncertainties.


Let’s take a brief look at a throne of a king in Biblical times and how it might have felt to one approaching it.  How about the book of Esther?  You know Esther don’t you? Esther became queen to King Xerxes of the Persian Empire.  Esther was a queen with a secret.  She was Jewish.  As the story unfolds, Esther risks her life and reveals her true identity in order to save her people.


Right now let’s simply look at the throne of a king.  Esther needed to approach the king to save her people, but she was fearful.  Why?  Esther 4:11 tells us one of the reasons.  Esther explains to her Uncle Mordecai.


Esther 4:11
"All the king's officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that he be put to death.  The only exception to this is for the king to extend the gold scepter to him and spare his life.  But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king."

Now we are talking about the queen.  Even the queen herself could be put to death for approaching the king without being summoned.  That is pretty serious.  When Esther is persuaded to approach the King, listen to her request of the people.


Esther 4:16
"Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish."

Esther is genuinely afraid she may die due to approaching the king.  She asks the people to conduct a 3 day fast prior to approaching the king.  She is fearful.  Would you say she is intimidated by the thought of approaching the throne of the king.  I would say so.


"Let us then approach the throne" Hebrews 4:16 instructs.  Let us then approach the throne of God is what it refers to.  Approaching God on his throne does sound intimidating.  It could make you fearful and nervous.  Absolutely.  But notice how the writer in Hebrews describes the throne to us: “Let us then approach the throne of grace.”


The author did not say “Let us then approach the throne of God Almighty.”  Nor did he say “Let us then approach the throne of the Creator of all things, the all powerful King of kings.”  No, he said “Let us then approach the throne of grace.”  Why?  Why did he word it this way?  I am about to reveal to you how this verse can change your prayer life, so listen carefully.


First, meditate for just a couple of moments on this verse Hebrews 4:16.


Hebrews 4:16
Let us then approach the throne of grace.


The throne of grace.
The throne of grace.


What is this “throne of grace” exactly?  How do I approach it?  A throne is full of power and might, filled with authority.  How can you combine a throne of such power with grace?


This throne, ladies and gentlemen, is the throne designed just for you.  Designed especially with you in mind.  Created with handfuls of love and tenderness.  This throne is unlike any other throne ever designed.  The creator of this throne put His very touch of love in it.  He did not hold back anything.  He only created it with love in mind.  It was not created with power as to intimidate anyone approaching it.  However, its power is unimaginable and full of tenderness and care.


The throne of grace is a throne that freely and unconditionally grants blessing to those who approach it.  It freely grants blessings to those who approach it.  It holds no conditions to those who approach.  The throne of grace unconditionally blesses those who approach it.  It is the throne created through Christ Jesus.  It is Christ’s work and sacrifice for us.  Though we may be undeserving in our acts, Jesus and his sacrifice created for us a throne of grace.  Because of Jesus Christ dying for us and our sins, we now have a throne that is approachable.  The throne of grace is not only approachable but necessary for the Christian today.


If you can come to a place in your life as a Christian and understand this throne of grace that you willingly approach it, your prayer life will change.  You will understand that approaching God is free.  God waits for you, with no conditions, to approach Him and His throne.  He waits on the throne of grace to unconditionally and freely grant you blessing.


I think this concept is difficult for many of us to grasp.  We too often think of how we may have disappointed God through sin and our actions.  We so quickly beg for forgiveness for our sins.  Sometimes we linger on that subject of forgiveness in our prayers, making us feel unworthy to approach His throne.  Even though we know that God will forgive again and again, we feel like a disappointment.  This is actually part of the problem.  We find it hard to approach this throne of grace because we are so busy looking at ourselves and our actions.  We are just too busy looking at ourselves and not that throne, that throne of grace.  Look at the throne of grace for just minute.


The throne of grace, it freely and unconditionally grants blessings to those who approach it.


This throne of grace is: unconditional, generous, absolute, without obligations and without cost.


The throne of grace does not look at your past, your mistakes, your problems or even your insecurities.  It is unconditional.  It freely blesses those who approach it.  Jesus created such a throne as this with His death on the cross.  Jesus took our sins with him to create this throne of grace.


Hebrews 4:16: “Let us then approach the throne of grace.”


Let us.  Let us put aside all of our thoughts about ourselves.  Let us approach a place that accepts us unconditionally and freely.  Let us approach the throne of grace and accept its blessing it wants to freely give us.


Let us then approach the throne of grace.


Do you want to honor what Jesus did for you on the cross?  Do you love Him for that? Are you grateful for it?  Then please, approach the throne of grace He made for you.  Approach the throne of grace.  Let it take you freely and accept you without any conditions.  And then let it bless you as it was created to do.


This week meditate on “the throne of grace” and what it truly means.  Each day think about those words and their true meaning.  Let God teach you.  Let God draw near to you to discover the reality of the throne of grace.  Let it soak in you so that God can reach deeper inside you.  Does it seem a little too deep to grasp?  Not to worry.  I understand.  The Holy Spirit will help it become clear to you and give you
understanding.  Just know that the throne of grace is free to everyone and holds no conditions to those who approach it.


Let me pray with you. Follow along.


O Dear Heavenly Father, Maker or Heaven and earth, Creator of this throne of grace you bestow upon us,


Thank you for your words.  Thank you for a throne of grace that we can approach without condition.  We do ask forgiveness of our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.  But we do not dwell on these past sins.  We repent and ask that your Holy Spirit help us and guide us to avoid sin and what is unpleasing to you.


Father, give us a greater understanding of the throne of grace so that we can approach it with ease.  Walk us to this throne.  Give us love and desire for the throne of grace. Guide our eyes to focus on this throne and not our mistakes.


This week, dear Father, we will meditate on Hebrews 4:16 so that we can bring your word into our hearts and gain wisdom in it. Our week is for you God.  We dedicate our days to serve you.  We pray these words as we approach you in the name of the one who died for us.


In Jesus name, Amen.


Enjoy the throne of grace and drawing a step closer to a new and exciting prayer life.