There be three things which go well, yea, four are comely in going: A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any; A greyhound; an he goat also; and a king, against whom there is no rising up. (Proverbs 30:29-31)
The children of the King “go well.” As citizens and ambassadors of heaven, God’s people are to be “comely in going.”
Noah Webster defines comely – …as applied to a person or form it denotes symmetry or due proportion… “I have seen a son of Jesse – a comely person.” (I Sam. 16) (WEBSTERS 1828)
- The Going of a Lion
The Lion Is Strong — “A lion which is strongest among beasts,”
The lion is king of the beasts, he is fierce, poised, and ready to go. The lion is conscious of his God-given strength. He has the realization that he is stronger than all others. The Lord Jesus Christ is the “Lion of the Tribe of Judah” (Rev. 5:5). Through Christ, the believer is strong. We have Christ abiding in us “…greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” (I John 4:4) As Christians, we are to “be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” (Eph. 6:10)
The Lion Does Not Turn — “and turneth not away for any;”
David did not turn from Goliath; Daniel did not turn to eat the king’s meat; and Peter and John did not turn from proclaiming Christ when threatened by human government. To have the fear of the Lord is to fear no other. We have the opportunity to be like the reformer John Knox of whom it was said, “He feared the face of God so much that he feared not the face of another man.”
The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion. (Proverbs 28:1)
- Going as a Greyhound.
The greyhound is “instant in season and out of season” (II Tim. 4:2). He is always ready to run the race that is before him. Locked onto his target, he chases the hair and does not give up until he has caught his prize. Believers too are comely when they pursue the high calling that God has put in their heart. When God’s children are unwaveringly focused on the ministry they are to perform, the souls they are to win, and the race God wants them to run, they are comely in going.
- Go as the He Goat.
The he goat climbs. His “hinds’ feet” allow him to escape high above his predators. His back (hind) feet land exactly where his front feet have stepped. Not one inch off! With this ability, he runs up the mountain through difficult terrain without abandonment. He is able to lead the rest of his flock with him.
The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments. (Habakkuk 3:19)
For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a rock, save our God? God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect. He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet: and setteth me upon my high places. (II Samuel 22:32-34)
…Come up to me into the mount, and be there: And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua: and Moses went up into the mount of God. (Exodus 24:12a, 13)
Believers feet are made like “hinds’ feet.” We have the capacity to flee high above our adversaries. The believer is comely in going as he goes up the mount of prayer and communion with his God and as he leads his flock behind him.
- The Wise King
“…a king, against whom there is no rising up.”
A wise king is fearless as a lion, locks onto his target like a greyhound, and ascends the mountain of prayer like a he goat. This wise king is comely in going. He has peace in his kingdom. There is “no rising up” against him!
When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. (Proverbs 16:7)