DISCOVERING HIS ACCEPTANCE OF YOU
I will go to the king, though it is against the law; and if I perish, I perish. Esther 4:16, R.S.V.
Courageous Esther! Motivated beyond selfish concerns, she entered her husband-king's court to plead for the lives of her people. Without summons from the king himself, her act carried the penalty of death. That is, unless she found favor with him and he held out to her his scepter.
The story reveals that the king was delighted to see Esther! He was willing not only to hear her request, he was willing to share with her his kingdom. Does this tell us anything about our God?
We cannot earn God's favor. And there is no way we can approach Him by reason of any compliance to rules. "No human being will be justified in his sight by works of the law" (Rom. 3:20, R.S.V.). Taken by themselves, the rules condemn us!
We must remember that there was an active relationship between Esther and the king, the love relationship of marriage. Her access to him in privacy was to be expected. However, when she went before him in his court, he was to her as he was to all: the ruler of the Medo-Persian Empire.
It is of no little significance, however, that his response to her was because he loved her. "When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her" (Esther 5:2, N.I.V.). She was no stranger to him; she was his wife. And he held out to her the symbol of his power, for she would be blessed, and not condemned, by it.
God is more than the ruler of the universe; in Christ He portrays Himself as our bridegroom. He is pleased with us, not because we have been able to meet divine requirements but because of our relationship to Him. He holds out to us the scepter of His power and offers us His kingdom.
God sees our trembling hearts. He knows that though He has proclaimed us His bride, we are not yet convinced of His enduring love.
"Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12:32, R.S.V.).
I will go to the king, though it is against the law; and if I perish, I perish. Esther 4:16, R.S.V.
Courageous Esther! Motivated beyond selfish concerns, she entered her husband-king's court to plead for the lives of her people. Without summons from the king himself, her act carried the penalty of death. That is, unless she found favor with him and he held out to her his scepter.
The story reveals that the king was delighted to see Esther! He was willing not only to hear her request, he was willing to share with her his kingdom. Does this tell us anything about our God?
We cannot earn God's favor. And there is no way we can approach Him by reason of any compliance to rules. "No human being will be justified in his sight by works of the law" (Rom. 3:20, R.S.V.). Taken by themselves, the rules condemn us!
We must remember that there was an active relationship between Esther and the king, the love relationship of marriage. Her access to him in privacy was to be expected. However, when she went before him in his court, he was to her as he was to all: the ruler of the Medo-Persian Empire.
It is of no little significance, however, that his response to her was because he loved her. "When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her" (Esther 5:2, N.I.V.). She was no stranger to him; she was his wife. And he held out to her the symbol of his power, for she would be blessed, and not condemned, by it.
God is more than the ruler of the universe; in Christ He portrays Himself as our bridegroom. He is pleased with us, not because we have been able to meet divine requirements but because of our relationship to Him. He holds out to us the scepter of His power and offers us His kingdom.
God sees our trembling hearts. He knows that though He has proclaimed us His bride, we are not yet convinced of His enduring love.
"Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12:32, R.S.V.).
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