The inner court

Esther 5:1

Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king’s house, over against the king’s house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house.

In order to obtain the full extent of this verse, we must know the events that lead up to this. Esther has been fasting with her maidens, as well as with Mordecai and all the Jews in Shushan on her behalf and the behalf of her people. For Harman had in his heart to kill all the Jews, and Esther was to go in and speak with the king, which was not according to the law. Mordecai had encouraged her that the Lord had set her there for “such a time as this.” And therefore, after three days of fasting and prayer, she would go in unto the king knowing that she could perish if he did not accept her person. She was at the mercy of his whim.

When the third day came, she walked into the inner court of the king’s house, where the king could see her from his vantage point on his throne. And when he did, he held out his golden scepter for her to touch. This was a gesture of acceptance, a sign of favor. She obtained favor in his sight. Therefore, she was allowed to come in and speak to him. She would touch the top of the scepter, and then he would ask her what her petition was. And as I read this suggestive story, I began to be reminded of the access that God has given us to His own throne. For you see! We may not be able to come into an earthly king’s inner court, but every Christian, young and old, male or female, bond or free, small or great, can walk in boldly into the inner court of God’s throne! We can come freely in without fear of rejection or wrath. For we are told to “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” See Hebrews 4:16. We can come into the inner court! Not just the outer court. But we may come directly into the throne room of God to speak with the true and living God through the access of Christ’s blood and merit. We have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand. We are to draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith. Friend, you can go in today! There is no need to fear! There is nothing hindering you. The way is clear! The path has been paved with love! The death of Christ has torn the veil in twain from the top to the bottom. It is clear! It is available! It is accessible!

And now, I ask you, are you taking advantage of the access that you have? Have you entered the inner court today? Have you boldly approached the very throne of God? You can today. It is an egregious tragedy that many do not use this privilege on a daily basis. It is a terrible sadness. It is the worst and most unnecessary poverty that so many have claimed. God has made the way open! It is opened by Jesus my Lord! Use it! And use it often! Go in every day, and go in many times a day. He will hear your petition, and will grant you many things that you will miss out on by not entering the inner court. Oh, beloved, go in today! For you have free access to the inner court!

Let us meditate on these words by Paul Rader:

Often my heart longed to pray;

Sinner, so what could I say?

Then I was told of the blood-cleansing way

Opened by Jesus my Lord.

Refrain:

I’ve found a way thro’ the blood past the veil

To the Holy of Holies with God.

There by His pow’r over sin I prevail,

I can walk in the path that He trod.

There in the presence of Jesus I stand,

Glorified Son at the Father’s right hand;

There I can plead, I can claim,

I can have All that He purchased for me.

Righteousness now I have found;

Calvary’s cleansings abound:

Taking this blood-way I’m on solid ground,

Ground of Christ’s merits alone.

Wandering days now are done;

Guessing days now are all gone;

Now a new pathway of prayer is begun,

Opened by Jesus alone.

Asking, I now may receive;

Seeking, I know He’ll relieve;

Knocking, I get, for I take and believe

Jesus is praying for me.

“Father, we want to thank you for making the way clear to speak to you and enter your throne room. It is through the death of your Son, and His blood that was shed for us. That blood has opened the gate of God’s House, and has made His throne accessible. Please forgive us for not entering in freely. May we do so today and every day from now until we see your blessed face on high. In Jesus’ loving name we pray, Amen.”