For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You in a time when You may be found. Surely in a flood of great waters they shall not come near him. (Psalm 32:6)
As followers of Messiah we believe that, in Him, we can “come boldly to the throne of grace … and find grace to help in the time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). The notion presented in this passage reminds me of Esther’s courageous decision to go before the king of Persia, unannounced, and find favor in his sight. Where our God is concerned, there doesn’t seem to be any restrictions on when we can approach Him, although we understand that there is a certain protocol when we do because He is Holy. That being said, there are statements made in Scripture, like the one David makes, that indicate there are times when God is more accessible than at others. For instance, it is written, “Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near” (Isaiah 55:6). This prompts a question: how can we know when He is nearer than at other times?
The first thing that comes to mind is the specific times He told His people to assemble before Him, in other words, during the moedim or “appointed times.” This is referring to the different feasts and festivals that He established throughout the year — e.g. Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles. This would also include the weekly Sabbath because it, too, is regarded as a time appointed by the Creator to meet with His people. But if we are to meet with Him — which is His earnest desire — it has always been understood that we must prepare ourselves to go before Him. If one wishes to go before the King of Kings, he shouldn’t think he can just waltz in with a laissez faire attitude. Though we may approach Him boldly, we must do so humbly.
Reading the opening verses in Isaiah 55, one quickly understands the context in which the invitation to seek the LORD was given: it was given to those who were humble and who recognized the need for repentance. Esther didn’t just barge into the king’s courtroom with her demands; before going to the king, she spent time in fasting and humiliation — she humbled herself. Likewise, when we humble ourselves, turn from our wicked ways and seek His forgiveness, I believe we touch the heart of God thus provoking Him to cause His face to shine upon us. In other words, when we are inclined to draw near to Him, He is inclined to draw near to us.
Might it be that those times when He may be found are when He senses that we are lost and in desperate need of our Redeemer and Savior? And so it is written, “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:7).
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
Recent Comments