In the Presence of the King

Our latest discussion revealed an inner renewal process that continuously occurs, until the fullness of Christ is revealed in us.   Spiritually speaking, Christ himself makes the heart his permanent dwelling place.  The heart becomes his temple, and he becomes the King. 

 

… the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple… (Mal 3:1 KJV)

 

So, what’s next? 

 

How do we spiritually prepare to meet and abide with this King? Notice the verse immediately following, probes this important question: 

 

But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? (Mal 3:2 KJV)

New Living Translation:

But who will be able to endure it when he comes? Who will be able to stand and face him when he appears? 

 

The Biblical story of Esther immediately comes to mind.  Familiarizing with this story, you will find that there was an extraordinary preparation that occurred, and distinct clothing put on, prior to standing before the King. Esther was given under the supervision of the King’s officer, Hegai, who assisted the maidens in preparing for their turn to stand before the King.  The Bible states that whatever a maiden desired was given to her prior to her entering before the King.  However, Esther required nothing but what Hagai… appointed and therefore …obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her. (Est. 2:15KJV)

 

I am confident that there were other, beautifully clothed maidens there that took advantage of all those disposable things, made accessible to them in the King’s palace.  Earnestly desiring to be pleasing to the King.  However, Hegai, being the King’s inside officer, knew exactly what the king was looking for, and Esther took nothing more.  Hegai, resembles the Holy Spirit, through the word, he teaches us what is pleasing to our King, so that we can stand and remain in his presence.

 

Spiritually speaking, we can make the analogy, the beautiful adorning resembling spiritual clothing, that is inner garments.  

 

The king's daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold.  …  She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: (Ps. 45:13-14 KJV) 

 

Raiment means:  garments, clothing 

 

Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning …But let it be the hidden man of the heart… the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. (1 Pe. 3:3 KJV)

 

 

Here Peter identifies meekness as a necessary inner decoration, pleasing in the sight of God.  

Meekness:  an attribute of human nature and behavior, …defined as a combination of righteousness, inner humility, and patience. Wikipedia

 

These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word. (Is. 66:2 NLT)

 

Again, as other maidens in Esther’s story, we may think we know what is pleasing to the King, however only the Holy Spirit, through the Word, reveals what truly pleases him.

 

Jesus shared a pairable of the Pharisee and the Publican, it says…

 

…he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous…(Luke 18:9 KJV)

 

Righteous simply means: right standing.  The Pharisee thought, surly these things will please the King:

 

I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, … I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess(Luke 18:11-12 KJV)

 

However, Jesus claims it was not he that went home justified.  

 

You see, Isaiah states that everything we may perceive as “right-standing” before the King, is actually: filthy rags

 

…our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; (Is. 64:6 KJV)

 

Another essential inner adornment approved of God, is our faith:

 

Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness (Rom. 4:3 KJV)

 

and

 

…without faith it is impossible to please Him,…(Heb 11:6 KJV)

 

Thus, we conclude, it is the inner adorning of meekness, with faith that makes us righteous or “right standing”, before the King.  

 

What does this look like in practice?

 

For a long time, I too, as the Pharisee, or the other maidens in Esther’s story, had my perception of   

things I thought were most pleasing to the Lord.  I felt unworthy of his presence when I didn’t attain to those specific things.  I spent a major part of my private prayer time, apologizing, begging forgiveness, to the King for everything I wasn’t.  Which distanced myself from developing an intimate, spiritual, relationship with him.  When his Spirit revealed this to me through the Word, it had become like a breath of fresh air.  My prayer time didn’t have to focus on everything I wasn’t. Far too many feel as if they have to get their act together to feel worthy of his presence.  

Surprisingly, the more time I spent in fellowship with him, he began adding to me all those things I could not attain in my own strength.  

 

 

Supporting texts:

 

I put on righteousness as my clothing; (Job 29:14 KJV)

 

I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite. (Isa 57:15 NLT)

That Christ may dwell in your hearts… (Eph 3:17 KJV)

 

Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. (Rev. 16:15 KJV)

 

 

scripture also confirms, an individual without his/her inner garments, is found naked.    

 

Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: (Rev. 3:17 KJV)