“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness….”
Psalm 45:6
Have you noticed the recent theme of royalty, kingdoms, queens, and kings? It is almost impossible to miss.
Since Queen Elizabeth’s passing on September 8th, news and social media have been filled with coverage of her life, her 70-year reign, and the many tributes pouring in to honor her and her life’s accomplishments. Queen Elizabeth was the longest serving monarch in British history, and by most accounts, she was a remarkable woman. Her historic life and reign are now over, and her throne is occupied by her son, Charles – His Majesty, King Charles, to be precise.1
Out of curiosity I read through some of the many rules of royal etiquette and protocol, here are few examples of the categories of rules and rules2:
- Approved greetings (speak only if spoken to)
- Acceptable attire in the presence of royalty (cleavage is a definite “no-no”)
- Appropriate bows and curtsies (British citizens only)
- When and how you may shake a royal’s hand (no gloves, handshakes are by royal invitation only, and then only a light brushing of the hands – no gripping bone-crushers)
- Royal space: Observe a respectable distance from royalty, never invade a royal’s personal space
- If the queen stands, everyone stands
- When the queen finishes her meal, everyone is finished (whether they are or not)
- Entering and exiting the presence of royalty (do not to turn your back to royalty while exiting)
- Unannounced or uninvited visitors are not welcome
It’s an exhausting list of dos and don’ts that makes the Book of Leviticus seem much less daunting.
The royal theme continued this past week when Russ and I attended an Adult “Getaway” Conference at the lovely Gull Lake Ministries Conference Center in Hickory Corners, Michigan. It was a great time of rest, relaxation, fun activities (yay! ziplines), great worship services, and excellent preaching. Doug Anderson was the featured speaker; he is pastor to global group of missionaries, head of ministry for the seniors at his local church, and a daily podcaster (http://gwwj.org). The theme of the seven messages he delivered at the conference was “Kingdom Living in ‘22.’”
At each service, once the last hymns had been sung, Pastor Doug would transition from the corporate worship to the message with these words, “Let’s enter the Throne Room.” He would then lead us in a time of prayer.
As I thought about the British Monarchy and the phrase “let’s enter the throne room,” I was reminded of the story of Queen Esther.
No doubt you remember the story. A plot was underway “to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all Jews.” (Esther 3:13) Uncle Mordecai sent a message to his niece, Esther, telling her that she must appeal to her husband, King Ahasuerus, on behalf of the Jewish people. The problem was that Queen Esther had not been summoned by the King for thirty days. For any person to go uninvited before the King was to risk death – even if that person was the King’s own Queen. (Esther 4:6-11)
More messages were exchanged, and Esther finally agreed to go before the King to plead for the lives of her people. At Esther’s request, Mordecai gathered the Jewish people for a three-day prayer meeting and time of fasting to intercede with God on Esther’s behalf that the king would allow her to enter his throne room so that she could present her request to save her people. (Esther 4:12-17) In a miraculously orchestrated series of events, God used Queen Esther and Mordecai to put a plan in place that saved the Jewish nation. (Esther 6-10)
These three separate circumstances set me to thinking:
1. The death of a Queen,
2. The statement – “Let’s Enter the Throne Room,” and
3. The risk of death for the uninvited.
It is remarkable to me that the rules of an ancient Persian throne room and the strict protocols of a modern monarchy are more stringent and demanding than the criteria that God has established for His people to enter into the Throne Room of Almighty God.
Let’s look at the Throne Room of God:
- The Everlasting God is the Eternal King who sits on the Throne.
- “Your throne is established from of old; You are from everlasting.” Psalm 93:2
- God’s Throne is never empty.
- “But the LORD sits enthroned forever; He has established His throne for justice.” Psalm 9:7
- There is no need for a succession plan.
- “But you, O LORD, reign forever; your throne endures to all generations.” Lamentations 5:19
- He who sits on the Throne of King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
- “The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.” Psalm 103:19
- Our King’s reign is a holy, just, and righteous.
- “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.” Psalm 89:14
- We have access to the Throne Room of God because of our salvation purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ.
- “Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2
- We have an advocate in Jesus Christ who sits at the right hand of God the Father interceding on our behalf.
- “Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven…” Hebrews 8:1
- God, our King, is ever accessible to His Chosen people. His children are welcome to freely enter the Throne Room.
- “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.” Hebrews 4:16
I love the way that the King James Version translates this verse – “come boldly unto the throne of grace.”
How then today do we come into the Throne Room of God Almighty?
The answer is simple: prayer.
Prayer takes us directly into the Throne Room of God.
From a dark cave while hiding from King Saul, David’s prayer reached the Throne Room of God. Psalm 142:1
From his death bed, King Hezekiah prayed that God would allow him to live and his prayer reached the ears of God seated on His Throne. Isaiah 38:5
From the belly of a whale, Jonah cried out in prayer to God in repentance and for help; from His Throne Room, God heard Jonah’s cry. Jonah 2:7
From the Garden of Gethsemane, the prayers of Jesus reached His Father in the Throne Room. Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46
From a dark prison cell in Philippi, Paul and Silas prayed and sang; their words reached the Throne Room and God responded with an earthquake that shook their chains loose and opened the prison doors. Acts 16:25-34
Friend, let’s enter the Throne Room.
Wherever you may be – right now. You can enter the Throne Room of God. You have an open invitation signed in the blood of your Savior. The welcome sign is on the door. No curtsey required, no special attire, no fancy words, no personal space restrictions, no protocols to be followed.
Just you and your Heavenly Father in conversation.
Whether it a prayer of praise or thanksgiving, or a heart-rending cry for help or healing for yourself or for a loved one, the Throne Room of God is open to you.
“But truly God has listened; He has attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, because He has not rejected my prayer or removed His steadfast love from me!” Psalm 66:19, 20
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Romans 12:12
“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayer.” 1 Peter 3:12a
Read more about the Throne Room of God:
Isaiah 66:1, 2
Daniel 7:9, 10
Revelation 4:2-11
Revelation 7:9-17
Revelation 19-22 (God on His Throne, the Great White Throne Judgment, The New Heavens & the New Earth)
1Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopedia. “Elizabeth II”. Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Sep. 2022, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Elizabeth-II. Accessed 19 September 2022.