Proverbs 29:26

Many seek the ruler’s favour; but every man’s judgment cometh from the LORD.

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If the sheriff, governor, or president were your friend, he might help you a little, if you needed protection, provision, or avenging. But those who wait on the LORD will receive perfect help in all situations. The LORD by providence dispenses perfect equity and justice to all men. So your great trust should always be in the LORD. Seek Him today.

Natural man looks down. He trusts other men, like parents, employers, legislators, magistrates, or pastors. He expects them to help, when he is in trouble. But their abilities are limited; they also have troubles; their judgment is distorted; they are often fickle; and they frequently are too busy to care about your plight or bring about help for you.

A true business adage says, It’s not what you know; it’s who you know. In the professional world, your education, technical skills, and resume are often of less help advancing in a company than having a friend, mentor, or sponsor at higher levels. But the better truth is this: It’s not who you know on earth; it’s who you know in heaven! Knowing God and walking with Him will do more for you in all parts of life (Ps 75:6-7).

Though parents generally love their children very much and want to help them, David said the LORD would still be there when his parents forsook him (Ps 27:10). Men should look to the heavens, from whence cometh their help (Ps 121:1-8). Looking horizontally is foolish, for all you can see are other potsherds, or broken pottery, like yourself (Is 45:9).

Favour and judgment in this proverb have similar senses. The judgment here is not punishment, but fair and right treatment. Men love friends in high places, for they think that will be an advantage when in need. But promotion, prosperity, and protection are from the LORD. His favour far exceeds what any man can do for you. Trust Him today!

Do you have enemies? Vengeance is His; He will repay (Rom 12:19). Are your cares too heavy? He will bear them for you (I Pet 5:7). Are you lonely? He will never leave you nor forsake you (Heb 13:6). Do you have needs? He knows them and will supply (Matt 6:25-33). Are rulers oppressing you? He is higher than they (Eccl 5:8). Are you afraid? He will hide you in His pavilion and protect you from your enemies (Ps 27:1-6).

Esther married Ahasuerus, King of Persia. She should have been safe. But her husband ignorantly signed a decree into law to exterminate her and her people. She went to the LORD with fasting and prayer, and He wonderfully delivered her and her people. Glory!

Precious Hannah was beloved by her husband Elkanah, but his other wife tormented her painfully. So she took her complaint to the LORD. What Elkanah could not rectify, the blessed God did. Hannah had the great Samuel and five other children as well. Glory!

David said it well. “Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish” (Ps 146:3-4). “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes” (Ps 118:8-9).

The only Ruler you should seek favor from is Jesus Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords. He holds your life now and your destiny in this world and the next in His hands. His approval and blessing are far more important than anyone else’s, no matter how powerful they might be. Obey Him today, and seek His blessing by obedience and prayer.