February 24, 2019

Read Genesis 9

Scripture: Genesis 9:20-23- 20 Noah, a man of the soil, proceeded to plant a vineyard. 21 When he drank some of its wine, he became drunk and lay uncovered inside his tent.22 Ham, the father of Canaan, saw his father naked and told his two brothers outside. 23 But Shem and Japheth took a garment and laid it across their shoulders; then they walked in backward and covered their father’s naked body. Their faces were turned the other way so that they would not see their father naked.

Observation: Noah and his family had just gone through one tragic event. Literally everyone in the world died in the flood except them. After Noah exited the ark, he planted a vineyard, got drunk, and passed out naked. Ham, one of his sons, saw him and instead of lovingly protecting him and his reputation, he exposed his dad’s shame by telling his brothers. His brothers, however, covered Noah’s nakedness and shame with a blanket. 

Application: In 1 Corinthians 13 it says that love always protects. That’s what Shem and Japheth did for Noah, and that is exactly what Jesus has done for me. Like Shem and Japheth covering Noah’s shame, Jesus has covered mine. He continues to cover me with his blood. He doesn’t expose me, he doesn’t use my shame to harm me but covers me completely. Because of the love of Jesus, I want to cover other people and protect them. I want to protect them physically, emotionally, and spiritually from shame the best I am able. That means I will cover their name with love and not slander. I will cover them by forgiving and letting go of past mistakes. I will cover their shame but not bringing up their sins to hurt them or talk about them. I want to cover others just like Jesus covers me. 

Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for covering my shame. Your love always protects me in every situation. Help me