God’s Precious Presence

10 Then she instructed him to say to Mordecai, 11 "All the king's officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that he be put to death. The only exception to this is for the king to extend the gold scepter to him and spare his life. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king."

12 When Esther's words were reported to Mordecai, 13 he sent back this answer: "Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"

15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16[color=red] "Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish." Esther 4:10-16 NIV

Lessons for us -God’s Precious Presence

No.1.Access into the Kings Presence

Notice that Queen Esther, even as a queen could not gain access to the King’s presence without being invited. And so even as her people faced extinction there was the nagging question: ’is it worth risking my neck for the sake of my people.’

How wonderful that we have access to God’s presence at anytime, anywhere and for any length of time. What a glorious privilege.

16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Heb4:16

Peace and Joy

1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, wehave peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
2 Through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And werejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; (Rom.5:1-3)

Therefore we can come into His presence with confidence with boldness on account of what Jesus has done for us. We can call Him Father. Why? Because as far as the east is from the West, so far has he removed our transgressions from us and as high as the heaven is above the earth so great is His love for us. We are accepted in the beloved. Jesus has made a New and Living way for us to walk upon.

When God sees us, He does not see what we used to be but He sees Jesus. We are covered with the robe of righteousness that Jesus gave to us. When we stand before God it is just as if we have not sinned. We are justified, accepted, acquitted, with not guilt or condemnation or trepidation.

We thank God for the scepter of deliverance and invitation that came through Jesus Christ. And that which is committed into His hands He is able to keep against that day.

We also have access through the Holy Spirit who introduced us to Christ in the first place, convicting us of sin and purifying us to come into God’s presence.

Let cherish this presence and not take it fore-granted. Let’s covet His presence like David

4 One thing I ask of the LORD,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple Ps27:4

Because in His presence fullness of Joy- joy unspeakable and full of glory. In His presence is peace that passes all understanding.

11 You have made known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.Ps16:11

As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, O God.

2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God?

Ps42:1-2

How lovely is your dwelling place,
O LORD Almighty!

2 My soul yearns, even faints,
for the courts of the LORD;
my heart and my flesh cry out
for the living God.

3 Even the sparrow has found a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may have her young—
a place near your altar,
O LORD Almighty, my King and my God.

4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house;
they are ever praising you.
Selah

5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.

6 As they pass through the Valley of Baca,
they make it a place of springs;
the autumn rains also cover it with pools.

7 They go from strength to strength,
till each appears before God in Zion.

Ps84:1-7

His presence is the key to your future, key to my future; there you can hear his voice, get insight and foresight and far sight for tomorrow. God only speaks to those who are intimate with Him. This is why He said in that day you will seek me and find me if you seek me with all your heart. (Jer.29:13) Ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you. He told Moses ‘There is a place by me where you shall stand upon a rock.

Do you want to stand upon a rock – immovable by the winds, storms and fires of life? You can only find it in His presence. Do you want to know in advance what your enemy the devil and his cohorts are planning in advance? You can in His presence. Do you remember how God informed Elisha about what the Assyrians were plotting?

Jesus gave us an example by rising early to seek the face of His Father. Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.

Mark 1:35

David so loved presence of God and early when he was fresh in his thoughts that he wrote in Ps57

My heart is steadfast, O God,
my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and make music.

8 Awake, my soul!
Awake, harp and lyre!
I will awaken the dawn.

I pray that you and I will cultivate, cherish, practice and enjoy the presence of God. May we desire above all else to hear His voice first thing in the morning before any distractions of the day, either through His Word or through the inward witness, through a song or other means. May we respond to Him and grow in our intimacy with Him.

Join me later as we continue with this scripture to find other lessons.

Meanwhile you do your home work. Meditate on the key text Esther 4: 10-16 and note what the Holy Spirit will reveal to you before you return. God bless you richly for your time.