Noah went through the storm after preaching to the people, while he built a ship for 100 years. Noah found grace in the sight of the Lord. He was a man of God who responded to God. But then something happened, after the storm was over and life was smooth sailing again, Noah got hammered off his vineyard produce. He got so drunk that he was found naked in his tent by his son Ham. The original language makes it clear that Noah was naked because of immorality of some sort. So there Noah lies, like a drunk redneck--a perfect theme for a county music top-ten hit song.
Ham saw his sin and instead of covering it, went and told his brothers and left him exposed. When Shem and Japeth heard, they went to the tent not to mock him, but to walk in backwards lest they see, and covered him with a blanket. The result was cursing for Ham's children and blessing for Shem and Japeth.
When we talk about the short coming of others, and point out the sin in others lives, there are little ears who are hearing. Parents, when your kids hear you tear down brothers and sisters they will walk away and your sin will effect your children. Ham's kids, later, would be called the Cannanites--the immoral, rebellious, pagan people. If I talk to my wife about how horrible my boss is day by day, unbeknownst to my wife she begins to despise my boss, and at the next company picnic she'll have daggers in her eyes. When brothers and sisters fall short we are to cover them with the grace we ourselves don't deserve either.
Jesus said to us in Luke 6, "Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For the measure that you use will be used back to you."
Most of us have heard this verse taught by preachers wanting your money, but this verse is talking about mercy. Judgement is like a boomerang--the harder you throw it, the harder it comes back to you.
Love covers a multitude of sins.
I miss ya Russ...Keep preaching the Word in love just as you are doing, and may Christ Jesus himself continue to be with you and bless you! We miss the times that you and Miranda got up and led praise and worship, have you written or recorded anything fresh?
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