(Cool Things I’ve Heard Somebody Pray, #4)
Back in the day I was meeting with our church elders and we were talking about some pretty heavy circumstances somebody was going through. I don’t remember the details, but I remember what Michael prayed. It totally changed my perspective about the circumstances, and served as a reminder of where to go to recharge my faith.
I thought maybe you could use a similar reminder.
As he prayed over the situation, Michael said, “There’s no vacancy on Your throne.”
What a tender reminder that if the only thing missing is unlimited power and authority, that job’s been taken, and the chair’s still occupied.
The Throne
Thrones are seats of authority, and when it comes to this one, this is no game. When the monarch is on his or her throne, both symbolically and practically, they’re saying, “Let’s get down to business… and it’s my business.”
When we talk about the throne of heaven, we speak of a throne that is forever and ever (Hebrews 1:8). It’s a throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16), where the children of God are invited to draw near with confidence and receive mercy and grace to help in time of need.
Have you ever thought about the implications of that? This is a seat of authority where you are invited to help aim God’s authority to the places of your need. And it’s already understood from the beginning that you aren’t worthy to be there. That’s why it’s called a throne of grace.
His Throne
This place of authority and power doesn’t belong to you or me. It doesn’t negotiate with terrorists or tyrants, nor does it cow down to the rulers of this age or any age. It isn’t susceptible to a government shutdown or a hostile takedown. It bows to no political party, bends to no show of force, breaks before no wave of public opinion.
Markets can’t move it. Calamities can’t shake it. Thieves can’t steal it. His enemies can’t usurp it.
It’s. His. Throne.
Not yours. Not mine. And we both should be breathlessly grateful that it doesn’t belong to us. Because despite our best efforts to be in control of our own lives, we desperately need the power, riches, wisdom and strength that only the Lord of lords can offer.
No Vacancy
The bold invitation to come to the throne carries with it a powerful implied promise. See, you don’t have to make an appointment, stand in line, register a login-in and password, or line up a priest or lawyer to represent you. All you have to do is come.
But once you get there – once you dare to take Him at His promise – how disturbing would it be if you called, but nobody answered? Or maybe worse, He answered with mealy-mouthed excuses or futile promises?
What if you called on the God of the Angel Armies and all you got in return was a sissy or a troll?
Here is a King who never grows weary, never takes a vacation and is never too busy for you. His throne never goes on standby; there is no Power-save mode. When you call, someone is always attending to you with authority and power.
So about that call…
A New Infusion of Courage
You may feel spiritually disconnected, as though the Lord has abandoned you or risen up in anger against you. I just want to remind you… There is no Vacancy on His Throne.
You may be confused and cornered by circumstances, and the maze you’re wandering through seems to have no way out. I just want to remind you… There is no Vacancy on His Throne.
You may be heartbroken or rejected, enraged or discouraged, anxious or depressed, jealous or sad. I just want to remind you… There is no Vacancy on His Throne.
You may be trapped in an addiction, forced to make impossible decisions, or lost to define what it is you really want. I just want to remind you… There is no Vacancy on His Throne.
You may be sick or sore, exhausted or weak, hungry or happy. I just want to remind you… There is no Vacancy on His Throne.
You may feel shame-bound or ugly, unwanted or unneeded, stupid or useless. I just want to remind you… There is no Vacancy on His Throne.
You may be devastated by divorce, abused by those you should be able to trust the most, or desperately waiting for a Prodigal to come stumbling home. I just want to remind you… There is no Vacancy on His Throne.
You may be mired in conflict, the friendless new guy in town, or hated because you simply showed up. I just want to remind you… There is no Vacancy on His Throne.
You may be in debt and broke, drowning in stuff or barren, needy or homeless. I just want to remind you… There is no Vacancy on His Throne.
You may be unemployed or underemployed, working for a jerk or languishing in a dead-end dose of daily boredom. I just want to remind you… There is no Vacancy on His Throne.
You may be isolated or shunned, church-bruised or preacher-battered, lonely or socially lifeless. I just want to remind you… There is no Vacancy on His Throne.
You may be soul-slammed by the devil or mocked by the world, hated by your neighbors or reviled by your coworkers. I just want to remind you… There is no Vacancy on His Throne.
It’s time to come. It’s time to call on His name as if He’s actually there. It’s time to expect that when you do call, He will answer. It’s time to believe that calling to His throne means He doesn’t send substitutes.
There’s no vacancy on His throne. Don’t you think you may want to stay for a while?
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I truly needed this reminder today, Andy. Thank you!
Thanks, too, for giving permission to share your link on leadership. Hoping the post will be up by Friday.
Blessings!
Martha Orlando´s last blog post ..Content and at Peace
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