By Confidence, You Mean...

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence... 

-Hebrews 4:16

I've come to believe that we often use this verse as an excuse...and even abuse it.

Let's get a few things on the table first.  Jesus took our punishment on the cross, so that those who are covered by His redeeming blood may stand before God without fear or punishment.

But how often, when we pray, do we holler at God from a distance, or rush into His presence during a spare moment with only ourselves in mind?  We throw our to-do lists at Him, demand answers and blessings, whine and complain about how things are going for us...and that's on a good day when we remember to pray at all.

What if we met the President, or the Queen?  Would we be so bold to tell them what they're doing wrong, what should be fixed, how they should do their job, and what freebies they should hand out to us?  Some people say they wouldn't hesitate to say such things.  But really, even the President's most reluctant follower is going to exhibit at least some respect, if for no other reason than for the power the President holds.

Back in ancient times, the king sat on his throne and was treated with all kinds of fear and reverence.  He had the authority to decide what he wanted, when he wanted it, and who was going to talk to him.  He had the power to order punishment or death to any person who came before him without being summond.  Remember the story of Esther?  It was up to her to save the Jewish race, and she needed to plead her case before the king (who was now her husband, by the way).  She had people fasting a praying for her for three whole days before she even tried to approach him, because it was against the law for her to come before him on her own.  (Did I mention this was her husband?)

These were human kings.  The King of kings is far above any of them.  He created all the billions of galaxies.  He sees all things and knows all things.  People who encountered His presence face-to-face in the past fell down, immobilized and passed out cold.

When we read that we may approach Him with confidence, we can be confident that He will not cast us out of His presence to destroy us as long as we have the blood of Jesus covering us.  But I think we are still to enter His presence on our faces, trembling with awe and reverent fear, giving Him the utmost respect. 

After all, He is the One who determines each breath we take.  Who are we to demand anything of Him?