Proverbs 30:30 Commentary - Dr Peter Masters

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Proverbs 30:30

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How strong the lion, the king of beasts, is, and consequently how fearless it is as it strides with unhurried steps through the forest! It is a picture of confidence in its own power and readiness to cope with any adversary it meets. Many other creatures detect it coming towards them and there is only one action they can take: to turn aside and give way to a power greater than theirs. But the lion turns aside for nothing. No matter what, it will not retreat, for it tells itself that no other beast is a match for it. Similarly, the greyhound bounds forward with graceful leaps and great speed, as if none could catch it. The he goat trusts in its horns and approaches animals bigger than itself to push them aside. Then there is a king who is set on expanding his territory. One kingdom after another falls to his armies, and those that remain quake in their boots, bracing themselves for the moment he turns his attention on them. They know that they cannot resist, nor is there any earthly power they can call on for help. His advances are relentless. Once he has subjugated all others to his rule, what is the point in attempting to rebel? He will quickly suppress all dissent. His vassal states watch carefully for any sign of weakness, but they see nothing to encourage them, and they know they have to learn to live with his authority over them.

Application

So is the child of God. He or she is invincible and need fear nothing, need turn aside for nothing. Does this mean that there are no powers that are greater than the believer? No, that is not the reason for the believer’s boldness. Does it mean that the believer trusts in his own strength? No, he knows himself to be weak, having a body which is an earthen vessel, mortal, and frail. He knows also that he is fallen and prone to sin, and needing to watch constantly against temptation. So where does his strength lie? It lies outside of him in Christ, for Christ tells us, ‘without me ye can do nothing’ (John 15:5). All our confidence is in him so that the apostle Paul says, ‘I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me’ (Philippians 4:13). He will not leave us or forsake us. The believer therefore remains fearless in the face of trials, and should not consider any task too great to accomplish if the Lord is with him. He bounds forward with every task which God gives him to do, optimistic that the Lord will not let any of his work fall to the ground if it is done for his glory. He believes that Christ is his defence to ward off every attack. and he sees himself as reigning with Christ on high through prayer, even though for now he dwells on earth in a feeble mortal body (Revelation 20:4).

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Proverbs 30:30 Commentary and Bible Study