The stunning truth about our invitation to come before the King

I cry at things far too easily these days. I used to blame the hormonal changes that accompany bearing children, but I’m not sure if that excuse holds any water when your youngest is 10 years old! But the truth is that seemingly trivial things can set me off and I have found myself fighting back the tears at adverts on the telly and when reading bedtime stories to the kids in their younger years – ie these were not moving tales filled with nuance and emotional weight. There was no rational explanation for my overly-sentimental response and the kids were unsurprisingly somewhat non-plussed!

So, imagine what happens when I encounter something that is genuinely moving and profoundly beautiful! Well, it happened the other day and let’s just say, I was glad to be alone at the time – it was not a pretty sight! The tears were plentiful, but it was healing, releasing and generally wonderful! I was glad to be undone – and I realised that I might find more treasure if I took the time to reflect upon whatever it was that had done the undoing! And the thing that unleashed the torrents – a song by Rend Collective, called ‘Boldly I Approach’.

It’s a beautiful song with incredible truths within, but what struck me afresh was how incredible it is that we can boldly approach God’s throne.

I have never been invited to Buckingham Palace to meet the king – and I doubt I ever will! But I imagine that if I was, I would probably clean myself up a bit for the occasion – I might get a new dress with matching accessories and make more effort than usual when styling my hair! But even having done my best to scrub up, I think I would probably still feel a bit nervous. Probably, most people would.

Now, humour me for a moment, and let’s imagine that I am going to see King Charles because I want to ask him a big favour: I need his help securing a weekend getaway in Scotland. Knowing that he is often elsewhere I thought his private residence at Balmoral would suit me well! If I was approaching the king with a request like this: something for which I had absolutely no rights, I imagine that my level of nerves would increase about 1000-fold! And so they should: addressing a king with such unmerited asks is absurd. Indeed, hopefully my nerves would deter me from instigating what I can only assume would become an awkward encounter for all!

And yet in Hebrews 4:16, we are told that we can approach the throne of grace, God’s throne, with confidence when we need help. ‘Boldly’ as some translations put it.

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

And coming before the throne of grace is exceedingly more momentous than coming before King Charles III – as momentous as that might be. How much more nervous should we be to come before the ultimate authority and King of kings with our requests, rather than to the man currently seated on an earthly throne. Indeed, it is not unreasonable to think that you might come before Jesus in a timid sort of way – aware not only of quite how undeserving you are, but also of what He had to do in order that you can stand there at all.

It is notable that the word ‘throne’ is used here – with its emphasis on the status of the one we approach. There are other Bible passages in which God is spoken of in arguably more approachable terms: loving Saviour, Abba, or wonderful counsellor. Approaching a loving Dad (Abba) with confidence seems right. But when we stop and consider that He is the King above all kings, then approaching Him boldly seems wild! Thrones traditionally speak of submission, reverence, fear even – because in former times the one sitting on it generally had the power to make or break you!

The preceding verses in Hebrews speak of Jesus as our high priest – who has been tempted in every way and so can sympathise with us in our weaknesses – and this, like ‘Abba’ feels a bit more accessible, so why are we then reminded that He is also on a throne? It is precisely because of the magnitude of His status that He can not only sympathise with us, but also has the potency to help us. A lesser authority would not be able to help us in the same way.

Indeed, the King on the throne is the one who has cleaned us up and made us presentable before Him – having given us robes of righteousness and washed away our sin. We don’t need to worry whether or not we have chosen an appropriate outfit or if our carefully crafted hairstyle has flopped out of place. He has made us acceptable: we can ask for what we do not deserve, for that for which we have no rights.

It is remarkable that one with such authority would go to such lengths to enable us to come at all – and yet more than just coming, we are told to come boldly. He wants us to be confident in all that He has done for us. Confident that the throne above all thrones, the one with ultimate authority and power, is a throne of grace – one that freely bestows upon us unmerited favour.

Wow. Isn’t that incredible – what undeserved honour that we can enter this throne room in such a way, knowing that we will be met with love and understanding. What an insight into the generous heart of God.

We do not need to approach timidly, hoping that we’re here on a good mood day and that our pleas will be heard. We can have confidence in His mercy and grace.

What encouragements to be boldly real and fervent as we seek God in prayer. Isn’t it stunning that we can boldly approach His throne as we are, because of the high priest who valued us enough to make it so.

Maybe you need a reminder of that- of the loving welcome that awaits you from the King of kings, from the One who can truly offer us grace and mercy in times of need.

Why not listen to ‘Boldly I Approach’ by Rend Collective. It may or may not make you cry(!) but allow the words of truth within to stir your heart in gratitude and worship – it might be the blessing that your soul needs today.