“Your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting.” Psalm 93:2 (ESV)
“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 (ESV)
“Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal … Day and night they never stop saying: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.’” Revelation 4:6, 8 (NIV)
The course of history was changed by two courageous and humble intercessors of extraordinary prayer. Recognizing their divine appointments as a kairos window of opportunity, Esther and Nehemiah obediently stepped into the call to intercede on behalf of others. God demonstrated His grace by granting these godly children the unexpected favor of two powerful Persian kings. Their prayers resulted in God’s people being delivered from destruction and, about 30 years later, Judah experienced a spiritual awakening.
As the Lord’s redeemed, we can freely enter the King’s presence with limitless access. Recognizing the truth that God is sovereign, and that all things and people are subject to His authority, we come into His presence in the hope that He always holds out His grace to us and, in His mercy, receives us. Partnering with the Lord, we trust in the powerful promise that the Spirit and the Son are interceding for us. (Romans 8:26, 34) Lovingly bringing the burdens of others to God’s throne, our prayers become one with His, as we seek His will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven. In living to please God by listening to His still, small voice, we grow in the knowledge that our intercession is used powerfully by God to show forth His glory.
Covered with garments of salvation and clothed in Jesus’ robe of righteousness (Isaiah 61:10), we will be gathered one day in Heaven with all the saints. Standing on the vast sea of glass before the throne of unfathomable grace, we’ll be in the presence of the Father and Jesus, worshiping them forever. In the lyrics of his 1779 hymn, John Newton wrote,
“Behold the throne of grace! Your promise calls me near:
There Jesus shows a smiling face and waits to answer prayer.”
Therefore, let’s keep filling up Heaven’s golden bowls of incense with our prayers of intercession. (Revelation 5:8)
Our God Hears,
Barb Wibling