Young Queen Esther, fearful of losing her life by approaching the king without an invitation, had requested all nearby Jews to join her in a three-day fast before entering the royal throne room and making her request to King Xerxes.

Thankfully, “When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand” (Esther 5:2).

When we come before the King of kings, we do not need to fear. God will always welcome us, have time for us, forgive, and love us. We can bring Him all our angst, feelings, issues, and problems. He will listen to us vent. He is patient and merciful and kind. Yes, He is worthy of honor, but He remembers that we are weak and in need.

The story of the prodigal son portrays a father’s response to his wayward child. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him” (Luke 15:20). That is how God responds to us. He is waiting and watching, longing for us to come to Him.

Under Old Testament law, things were much different. Only the priests were allowed to enter the Holy Place in the Tabernacle or Temple. Beyond the Holy Place was the Holy of Holies or Most Holy Place, separated by a heavy curtain. Only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies, and then, only once a year. The representation of a holy God separated from sinful mankind was clear.

Therefore, it is of utmost significance that upon the death of Jesus on the cross that the curtain representing this separation was literally torn in two! The death of Jesus gave all people access to the throne room of God, whether in worship, in prayer, in tears, sorrow, gladness, or whatever. The King of kings welcomes all to come to Him any time. May we go before His Presence today.