Proverbs 29:26 Commentary and Bible Study

This proverb shows us another aspect of the mind-set which every Christian must have, a vital attitude to enable us to pass through this world of trouble and sin on our journey to heaven. Many are too greatly impressed by the ability of the rulers and authorities in this world and their apparent power to promote or demote, and so they appeal to them for help in facing the problems of life. They walk by sight and not by faith, and they turn to the most powerful earthly help they can get access to. They believe the ruler’s favour will bring them justice, promotion, wealth, lands, and power – tangible benefits by which the quality of life on earth can be measured. But the Christian knows the limitation of all human powers and helps and does not rely on men more than they are able to bear. Not only are their powers limited, their justice partial, and their wisdom imperfect, but they are also fallen human beings who will let us down and take advantage of us. The believer is a realist and evaluates human help by the hardest of problems. Can they change the character of a man? Can they console us in the greatest trials of life? Can they prevent those trials from coming in the first place? What comfort or help can they give when our loved ones grow sick or when they are taken from us by death? Can they protect us against wars, plagues, natural disasters? How will they help us when we come to the end of life? Will they be willing to go through the valley of the shadow of death with us? Will they stand beside us on the Day of Judgment and speak as our advocate to defend us from the justice of God? In all these things they are just as much in need of help as we are. But the Christian turns to the Lord in all these trials and knows that he will not let him down. The Lord has power to help when the arm of man would fail. The Lord brings justice to his children when a persecuting world does all in its power to marginalise them and take away their judgment.