Text: Proverbs 12:5-7 (ESV)   5 The thoughts of the righteous are just; the counsels of the wicked are deceitful. 6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright delivers them. 7 The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous will stand.   THE HOUSE OF THE RIGHTEOUS WILL STAND   The heart of the issue is the issue of the heart. The righteous desires what is fair and honest for themselves and others. They do not scheme to take advantage of another person. Their thoughts are things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy things. This is the mark of the redeemed mind. Sadly, wicked people openly harbor warped and dishonest thoughts. Their counsel leads others astray. They suggest that evil is good and good is evil (see Isa 5:20). Like the thoughts of the wicked in Noah's day, that is, "The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually."[Gen 6:5]   The wicked deceives others in order to perpetrate evil. He is a hungry and calculative predator lying in ‘wait for blood.’ But, the mouth of the upright shall deliver them, that is, those for whom the wicked lie in wait. They speak the truth. And, the truth will set a person free. His words build up not tear down. Moreover, this could be his prayers to God, which are effective for him. And, through his importunity he will avenge his elect, and deliver them.   At the end, the wicked will be overthrown. The picture is for them to suffer a blow from any cause or of any degree, and they succumb. They have no power of resistance. What the stroke is, or when it comes, is not expressed but surely it is the just judgment of God - temptation, trouble, sickness - but whatever it is, they cannot withstand it. As Prov 11:7a says, “When the wicked dies, his hope will perish.” In contrast, the righteous has his house endure forever. This has allusion to the church of God, the house of the living God, the pillar and ground of truth; which is built upon the Rock, Christ. For Jesus says, “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”[Matt 16:18] Listen and FOLLOW us on our podcast ------------------------- Visit and FOLLOW Gospel Light Filipino on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram