This is probably something not too many of us think about, our posture. Maybe if you are a girl your mother would have told you to stand up straight, walk with your head up and shoulders down. I have even known people particularly females whose mothers made them walk with books on their heads so they could get it just right. Mine did not make me do that, although we did do it for fun sometimes. Pretending to be models and such.

I find myself now aware of how I stand or sit. I do not want to sit with my shoulders down and my face looking at the floor, and yet I do not want to sit in such a way that I appear haughty or arrogant. So, I try to sit somewhere in between with a smile on my face so I am approachable. The last thing I want people thinking is that I think I am “all that” and they cannot approach or talk to me. Thinking on this topic has made me think of our posture when we approach the throne room of heaven. I think there are different postures for different scenarios.

There are times when we have sinned and need to go to the throne room of Heaven and talk with our Father about our sin and repentance. I think when we do this our posture should be one of humility. I have had those moments where I needed to confess sin and it was hard, I was embarrassed by my actions and ashamed. My posture was one of humility, understanding that I was so wrong, I need forgiveness and restoration.

When Peter had denied Jesus three times, he was devastated by his actions. I am sure he was embarrassed, anguished even and full of humility when he realized what he had done. We read in Luke 22:54-62 about Peter’s denial. Verses 60-62 say 60″But Peter said, “Man I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.”

Sometimes we go in humility and with bitter tears of repentance. Peter had to be converted from himself to Christ’s and when he wept bitterly this happened. Everything about his belief and walk with Christ changed when he got up off his knees. Peter was called “The Rock”. Jesus said he would build his church upon this rock. Matthew 16:18 “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” Peter was a changed man from that moment on.

There are times we go to the throne room of Heaven with great joy and excitement, our posture one of confidence because we know we are a welcome child of God. I remember after I was saved I was so excited to talk to Jesus, I knew that he would hear me and wanted to hear from me, so it gave me much boldness and joy to talk with him, sometimes of seemingly silly things. He was a new friend and confidante and although I knew he already knew whatever it was, I still wanted to tell him. Hebrews 4:16 says “Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace in our time of need.” We see in Ephesians 3:12 “In him through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. One translation says “with boldness.”

These are just a couple examples, there are many other postures to take when approaching God. Often in times of deep hurt, we approach God as a small child needing to be consoled by our daddy. When those times come we go crying and unable to bear the weight of the hurt, and he opens up his arms and says, come child. When we do go to him and sit in his lap, we find rest and healing for our wounded hearts. Psalm 34:18 says “The Lord is near to those who are discouraged; he saves those who have lost all hope”, and in Psalm 147:3 we read “He heals the broken-hearted and bandages their wounds.” What a comfort and reassurance to know that no matter our posture we as children of the Most- High are always welcome to come to him, whether in sorrow, repentance, joy or hurt. He is able, He alone has the answer and He alone can give us all that we need and more in any circumstance.

I am not sure what posture you need to take this day, but I am confident of this He hears and He cares and He answers. Go to him! He wants to hear from you. I promise!