Scepter of Acceptance

I can only imagine what the biblical character of Esther must have felt when she walked into her husband’s courtroom.  The responsibility she held to her countrymen must have weighed heavily on her heart and emotions as she stood, poised and beautiful before the greatest leader of her time.  Surrounded by counselors, leaders, governors, and guards, she remained with brave determination for the mission ahead of her.

This was not just a casual entrance into her husband’s private quarters.  She had not been summoned as many times before.  She had, on her own accord, made the decision to disobey royal law for the sake of God’s people.  No doubt the emotional stress was great as she considered her fate.  Either the king would show mercy and her country would be saved, or he would be furious at her entrance and all would be lost.  To see his scepter of acceptance extended toward her was her greatest desire, but only God could accomplish such a feat.

Many times we see our King as One we could never approach unless we are summoned. We yearn to be close to Him, comfortably talking to Him in the same room.   It’s His favor we desire and seek, but considering our lowly status and imperfections, it seems unlikely.  No holy God would tolerate that type of person in His courtroom.  Believing this, we remain stuck outside the door, feeling lonely and dejected.  We feel unworthy of His attention, much less His gifts.  We are filthy paupers, unfit to be seen by even the King’s servants. Surely, if we barely put one toe beyond the threshold, He would bellow our demise: “Off with their heads!”

God, however, does not see us as unkempt paupers.  His view is found in Ephesians 1:3-7:

^“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.”

This verse is a huge contradiction to how we may often feel. It declares that we have been blessed, chosen, made holy and blameless, and adopted into God’s family.  It only provides an assurance that we have been accepted.  No mention of rejection or pauper-status is even mentioned . . . and all because of the blood of Jesus.

When the world denies our value, God sees us through the eyes of adoptive love.  When the devil condemns us for past mistakes, God acknowledges only the blood of Jesus.  When our circumstances declare our weaknesses and limitations, God adorns us with the promise of blessing.  It was a status we did not earn or deserve, but freely gained through believing in Jesus.  If we’ll receive everything salvation entails, we will suddenly rise to the status of royalty.

Esther had every reason to flee as she approached the courtroom door.  Every law in Persia denounced her right to live.  That the king had not summoned her in thirty days was enough to indicate he did not wish to see her.  But she moved forward anyway, confident that God’s purpose would be completed.  She had only to wait for the miraculous to happen . . . and it did.  “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; he turns it wherever He wishes.” (Proverbs 21:1) The scepter of acceptance was extended and her life and her country were saved.

It’s not pride that drives us into His presence. No works of righteousness has earned our right to be there.  It is pure confidence in His love that moves us passed the threshold and before His throne.  As we enter in, no demand for perfection is made, or a cry for justice heard.  God’s heart is turned favorably toward us – His outstretched hand, gripping a scepter of acceptance, bids us enter.

“Let us therefore come boldly before the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16