Godly House Building . . . Proverbs 12:7

The wicked are overthrown and are no more, But the house of the righteous will stand. Proverbs 12:7

Men rise to power - reign for a period of time - are overthrown and within a generation are forgotten.  Only the most infamous of leaders is remembered after being destroyed - but their memory is like rottenness - a reminder of a horrific man who chose a wicked way to live.  They are remembered as a byword and a warning.  Don't become like such men - whose wickedness chased them down and destroyed them. 

There is an interesting thing about this particular proverb.  The wicked after being overthrown are no more.  First, their reigns are so odious to the people that they feel the need to rise up and destroy them.  Once they are destroyed no one wants to continue their ways.  This is because their ways were wicked.  The people want nothing more to do with them - thus they do all they can to forget them.  They leave no enduring house or legacy.  The only thing they leave is a cautionary tale of warning to those who would desire to be like them.  The very principles upon which they built their lives ensured their demise.  This is why wickedness will not stand or last forever.  The wicked and all their kingdoms will end up in the lake of fire in the last day - suffering everlasting torment for their godless, evil empires.  Their house will eternally be destroyed around them - and their testimony will only be that of agony and knashing of teeth as they suffer the worst of ignominies for their choice to live a wicked life in defiance of God and His principles and rule. 

The righteous though have a house that will stand.  The very principles that they have chosen will last.  That is because they are principles that flow from the heart of God Himself.  That Word will stand forever - as well as what is built accordingly.  As an example of this consider the house and lineage of David.  He was a man after God's own heart.  He chose to follow the Lord - and even his greatest mistake (his adultery with Bathsheba) was an example for generations in its cost as well as David's example of repentance as he turned from his sin.  That house stands forever.  His writings in Psalms that record his conviction and repentance stand.  They bless every generation that reads them.  More than any of that - God's promise to build Him an everlasting legacy also stands as Christ Jesus was the fulfillment of that promise.  His house - founded upon Calvary's hill stands to this day - though kings, false prophets, and wicked men have tried to destroy it in every generation.  May we remember such things as we seek to build our house - not a structure made of rock, wood, and nails - but a life and family grounded on the solid rock of God's Word.  May we remember as we labor on that house day after day - week after week - and year after year - teaching and admonishing our children with all wisdom from God's Word.  May we remember as we sink deep foundations dug with time on our knees.  May we remember as we build not with wood, hay, and stubble - but with silver, gold, and costly jewels.  May we remember that our labor in the Lord is not in vain - but is used by the Lord to build an enduring house - one founded upon a rock - and that rock is Christ!