Proverbs 29—Humbly Seek God’s Vision as You Face Your Loss

We are all inclined to dismiss or overlook our own faults. Conversely, we see the wrongs of others quite clearly.

While loss is not some sort of payback or punishment for our own wrongdoing, grief does provide an opportunity for significant reflection and self-assessment.

“He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken beyond healing.” Proverbs 29:1

Yes, loss can be a form of reproof; however, whether it is a rebuke or not, it is a good time for a checkup. For sure, do not stiffen your neck or turn your back to God. You’re already facing brokenness. Obstinance in the face of reproof brings on further injury to the point of no return—”broken beyond healing.” However, healing is possible, even when it doesn’t seem so in the early days of grief and mourning—but not if you rebel or stiffen your neck.

Humbly receive this moment, this loss, as an opportunity for self-reflection, self-assessment, and growth.

“He who loves wisdom makes his father glad…” Proverbs 29:3

I have a father, and I am a father. I know many fathers. To have children who love wisdom brings gladness to the heart of a father. Wisdom is good for our journeys. Wisdom is good for our communities. Wisdom is a gift to be sought after.

“Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.” Proverbs 29:18

We are wise when we seek first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33). It’s good to have a vision to hold before our eyes. When we seek after his kingdom first, everything else falls into place as it should (Matthew 6:33). We do the keeping—of the law, and he does the adding—of all these things. We humbly and gratefully receive what he adds.

His kingdom provides a vision, a prophetic vision, to guide us. Take that vision away and people lose all restraint. They lose all self-control. Like the days of the Judges, they seek after their own will and kingdom over his will and kingdom. “Everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25). Seeking after his kingdom as a vision requires us to walk in his ways. His law, commandments, statutes, and instruction are for our good.

Especially in loss.

Loss provides a season of refocus and reflection. We can renew our commitment to his ways and hold his vision before us.

“Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” Proverbs 29:20

Loss is a time to respond but to do so carefully. When loss descends upon you, what you do next is important. Do not be hasty with your words. Do not launch out too quickly. Fools speak first, but then they think. Fools pour out speech from their own folly.

It is better to humbly wait before you speak. There is more hope for a fool than for someone who is hasty with his words.

Especially in loss.

“Many seek the face of a ruler, but it is from the Lord that a man gets justice.” Proverbs 29:26

Grief and loss come upon you, and you will respond. You will turn to someone or something. We live in a temporal world, and it’s tempting to turn to immediate help. Solomon warns those who would seek the face of a ruler because justice comes from the Lord. Be careful to what or to whom you turn in the immediate wake of grief.

Our help comes from the Lord. Psalm 121:2 reminds us, “My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” Take shelter up under this truth as you face your loss: the maker of heaven and earth is the one who gives you help.