A lot of Chistians find it difficult to talk to God. I wonder why that is? Do we find it boring, maybe we think God doesn’t listen to us or maybe it is because we just don’t place too much importance on it. Most of our prayers seem to be “God please help”. So why do we find it that hard. I believe there are a number of reasons. One of them might be we didn’t talk to our earthly fathers much so we find it hard to communicate our thoughts and feelings. Maybe we treat God like a sugar daddy and only cry help on those occasions when we have tried to solve our own problems but couldn’t. Another reason, I believe, is spelt out in the book of Esther. The book of Esther, you might say, it isn’t even in the New Testament. I love the Old Testament because it gives practical answers to spiritual issues.
So let’s look at Esther 4 and just recap the story so far. By the way I love this book in the Bible. Haman who was not nice had decided to go to the King and get a decree ordering that all of the Jews should be killed. This was because Mordecai would not bow down to him so he decided to get rid of all of them. But there was a slight issue in that Esther was Mordecai’s cousin and was now the queen (although Mordecai did not know that). So Mordecai told Esther to go to the King to plead for the lives of the Jews, including hers. Esther refused at first until Mordecai said that famous line ” who knows if God has put you there for such a time as this”.
When Esther refused, she gave the excuse that the King had not called her for 30 days and if she went to the throne room uninvited and the King did not hold out the golden sceptre, she would die. This part of the story struck me as I was reading it a few weeks ago. How often do I not go to the throne room of God because He hasn’t called me – I haven’t felt close to Him, my sin and mistakes are keeping me away, I don’t feel I am worthy to go, I am sick and God hasn’t healed me so He must be displeased with me, I haven’t been true to what He has called me to do etc etc etc.
But the good news is, God is not like this King. In Hebrews 4:13, the Bible says we can come boldly to God’s throne. Not in arrogance but in humility – confident that God will not turn us away, that no matter how big we think our sin is, our lifestyle is, our treatment of someone else is or how big our sickness is – we can come to God and know that Jesus has made a way. God is bigger than all of the excuses and reasons we use to stay away.
So today, come back to God. He is waiting for you and me just like the father was waiting for the prodigal son. He is looking for us, waiting for us to make the first move. Don’t be shy, be bold. You can do it. When you get there, don’t talk weird, talk normal. God knows you and knows your language. He wants to be your God but He also wants a close relationship with you. All you have to do is come.
This week make some time to go to God, talk to Him and start or renew your relationship with Him. Your life will never be the same and this means you can then keep living the amazing life God intended you to live!
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