Discover His heart: He invites us to come to Him without delay
“The pleasure of your company is requested…” When we receive an invitation of this nature to attend an event, we understand that it isn’t an ordinary affair. Whether it involves a wedding or dining with heads of state or any other celebration, we can assume the dress will not include t-shirts and flip flops and only invited guests will attend. We’ve heard of political event crashers in recent years, but most intelligent individuals would never approach the royalty of another country or the President of the United States without an invitation because we know the Secret Service would be on us like flypaper – and rightly so.
As we read in the story of Esther, ancient kings held royal scepters which they would raise as an invitation for a loyal subject to approach them. “When [the king] saw Queen Esther standing there in the inner court, he welcomed her and held out the gold scepter to her. So Esther approached and touched the end of the scepter.” (Esther 5:2) By touching the end of the scepter, Esther showed that she accepted the king’s gracious invitation. In the busyness of our day, we sometimes fail to respond to our regal invitation from the King of Kings, but the scepter is raised, and He is waiting…
@ Psalm 27
“My heart has heard you say, ‘Come and talk with me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’” (8) In a Psalm so full of wisdom, we may read this verse without thinking about its message. David recalled the Lord speaking to his heart “Come and talk with me,” and the Lord’s invitation spoken once is heard twice in the mind of David. Yes, David recalls, I have received the invitation!
We hear the Lord’s invitation to come to Him as well, over and over as He whispers to our spirits and through His Word. “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” (John 7:37) The royal scepter is raised!
Most certainly, we are not event crashers! The invitation is real – The pleasure of our company is requested. The royal scepter, the sacrificial Son, has been extended and has made it possible for us to enter His presence. There is no need to enter through the service entrance or walk along the perimeter of the room as one who should not attend. “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” (Hebrews 4:16)
Clearly, the invitation has been given. Will we stick it in a drawer with all the miscellaneous items of our lives? Or will we respond along with David and say, “Lord, I am coming.” This day, this hour, I am coming to you, and tomorrow and the days that follow, I accept your invitation to come.
P.S. The favor of your reply is requested.
Moving Forward: How could I ignore such a regal invitation from the King! Lord, I am coming – I will touch the royal scepter!
Tomorrow @ Job 19-20
Phyllis Benigas 