It can seem difficult to find peace in our current cultural landscape (let alone our global one). Maybe you can relate. Our hearts break as we read headlines and scroll through social media feeds – and even these glimpses convey only a fraction of the turmoil present in human experience. The following meditation is shared with us by FBC’s Production Director, Josh Roberts. It’s a collection of his thoughts shaped by a recent experience in prayer while gathered with other believers. Our prayer is that you’re able to slow down and let this reality profoundly comfort you: “There’s Peace in the Throne Room.”
Revelation 4: The King of the Throne Room
2 At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. 3 And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald. 4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, 6 and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal.
And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures… And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say,
“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty,
who was and is and is to come!”9 And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they existed and were created.”
Hebrews 4: Access to the Throne Room
14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 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.
Philippians 4: Peace in the Throne Room
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
“Throne Room.”
Merriam-Webster says it’s “a formal audience room containing the throne of a sovereign”.
For us, it’s the presence of God.
It’s a place of honor.
In the Old Testament, it was the Holy of Holies.
Only the High Priest could enter in, once a year.
In the New Testament, Christ became our perfect High Priest,
tearing the veil so that we could enter in -
so that we could confidently
“draw near to the throne of grace”,
and “find grace to help in time of need”.
Because of Christ,
There’s not only reverance in the throne room;
there’s peace in the throne room.
There’s peace because, in Christ,
you’re not an intruder.
You’ve been welcomed in.
You have an audience with the King.
You’re not just venting to someone over coffee;
you’re speaking with the King of the Universe,
the One who alone is in control,
the One who can affect change.
(John 10:9, John 14:6, Hebrews 4:16, Ephesians 2:18, Ephesians 3:12, Hebrews 10:19, Hebrews 6:19-20)
There’s peace because, in Christ,
the King is also your Father.
There’s peace because, even though storms rage outside,
Dad’s at home. He knows what to do.
You are safe with Him.
(Isaiah 43:1-2, Mark 4:39, Psalm 62:7-8, Isaiah 41:10)
There’s peace because, in Christ,
peace is not dependent on the outcome.
Even when the answer is “no”,
He is looking out for you.
He knows what’s best.
He’s going to do what brings Him glory.
He’s going to work in your best interest.
(Philippians 4:11-13, James 1:2-4, 1 Peter 1:6-8, Isaiah 55:8-9, Psalm 145:17)
There’s peace because, in Christ,
whether or not your circumstances are shifted,
your perspective is.
Your eyes are fixed on the One in the seat of honor and holiness.
Your problems shrink smaller in comparison to Him.
(Psalm 27:4-5, Psalm 46:1-3)
There’s peace because, in Christ,
the throne room becomes a place where your worries can go to die.
It’s a place where you concentrate the same energies
that you did in anxiety or fear,
on making your requests known to God.
It’s dwelling there.
It’s lingering there.
And somewhere in that communion,
peace comes to life in the space where worry had been before.
(Philippians 4:4-7, Isaiah 26:3)
There’s peace because, in Christ,
you’ve been invited to cast your cares upon Another.
You’ve been invited to trade a heavy burden for an easy yoke.
You’ve been invited to let your Shepherd share your load.
You’re not carrying it alone.
(Psalm 55:22, 1 Peter 5:7, Matthew 11:28-29)
There’s peace because, in Christ,
the throne room is always available to you.
And entering isn’t limited to spoken prayer.
Communion is a frame of mind.
(John 15:4, 1 Corinthians 10:31)
There’s peace because, in Christ,
we have been invited into relationship with the Sovereign King
who alone is in control, and who works all things out for the good of those who love Him.
(Romans 5:2, Romans 8:28-29)
JOSH ROBERTS | PRODUCTION DIRECTOR
Josh Roberts is FBC’s Production Director. His passion at FBC is to lead his team in developing dynamic, creative environments where God is magnified, where people meet with Him, and where The Gospel is communicated without distraction. He would tell you that although he loves the technical world, at the end of the day, Production ministry is all about loving people by helping them encounter our truly glorious God.
When he’s not in the booth mixing audio, you can find him scouting out the best barbeque around, hiking, disc golfing, or drinking coffee with his wife.