Queen Esther approached the king with no appointed audience, in order to appeal to him on behalf of the Jews who were all doomed as a result of the devious plans of Haman. Anyone approaching the king in this way must be put to death unless the king, upon seeing their entry to the room, extended his royal scepter so that they may touch its tip. Esther had no way of knowing what the king would do - whether his mood would be good or bad that day - whether she would be spared or rather executed for committing such a daring act.
How grateful we should be that we never have the concern of Esther when we come before the King of Kings to pray! We know (or we should) that those who are not Christians and who appear before God still bearing the guilt of their sin will be consumed by His righteous anger in a moment (if He chooses to show no mercy). Yet how different is the situation for true believers who have trusted Jesus to save them from their sins! Our situation before God is governed by two wonderful principles:
- First, God has adopted us into His family through faith in Jesus. We call Him our heavenly Father and He regards us as His children. It follows that His heart is always inclined to be favorable towards us because He sees His own Son's righteousness as being our own. Our text tells us this very thing. Even sinful fathers on earth (generally) desire what is best for their children and know how to give them things that are for their good. In behaving this way, they are showing they bear the image of God - much effaced and tarnished through sin, but still occasionally visible. If this is the behavior of sinful fathers towards their children, argues Jesus Himself, how much more should we expect God to be inclined to give good things to His children, made infinitely precious to Him through the blood of Jesus which redeems them?
- Second, unlike earthly kings, lords, Presidents and suchlike, our God never changes. Having accepted us in Christ, He will not vary in his disposition towards us - it is always full of grace and love. We need have no fear (like Esther) of meeting a frosty reception and being hurried out to the executioner. God may be more or less present to our spiritual senses, especially according to our degree of faithfulness and obedience, but He will never cast us out or condemn us if we are truly His children.
Do we understand what a transformation Christ has brought about in terms of our relationship with the Father? If we really believed that we had God's ear at any time, and that God desired to give us good things (not least, the outpouring of the Spirit, as the parallel passage in Luke 11:13 indicates) wouldn't we hurry to Him and pour out our hearts, asking for small things and big things alike?
There is an implication in our text that before these good gifts will come our way, we must ask God for them. Let's take these thoughts to heart and do as we are warmly encouraged to do in all the Scriptures - seek Him and His kingdom and ask Him for good things that will be for His glory alone! One great place to do this as His family is at the prayer meeting. Why not come to the next one prepared to pray in this way?