I found a commentary by Charles Wesley on this passage: "Love covereth a multitude of sins - Yea, "love covereth all things." He that loves another, covers his faults, how many soever they be. He turns away his own eyes from them; and, as far as is possible, hides them from others. And he continually prays that all the sinner's iniquities may be forgiven and his sins covered. Meantime the God of love measures to him with the same measure into his bosom."
As I was rereading this, what God brought to my mind was the example of Noah laying naked and drunk in bed. Genesis 9:29 This is the same Noah that of all the men on earth had found favor in the sight of God. He had exercised incredibly obedient faith. Noah began farming, planted a vineyard, and drank of his wine and got drunk. He went from an all time high to an all time low; hero to zero. Ham happened upon his father drunk and naked, sprawled in his tent. Ham saw it and told on him. Could it be that the first gossip spread in the new world was spoken by a man? His other two sons held up a garment and walked in backwards to cover his shame. That is a beautiful picture of love covering sin. Ham brought a curse on himself and his son through his choice, while a blessing was bestowed on the other two sons. I know which example I want to follow. Anyone can judge and point the finger. The real test of character comes when we see someone's need (nakedness). Will we cover it by diligent prayer until that barren place becomes fruitful? Will we come along side with encouragement and loving guidance? Will we expose them to others without thought to the many times Christ has covered and cleansed us and given us our dignity back? Treat others the way you want to be treated, as a good steward and recipient of the richness of His grace.
I pray that God will stamp into our spirits the mental picture of the two sons walking backwards into their father's tent to cover him. I pray that He will form in us the same kind of heart. A heart like His.
MY PRAYER: Lord, we have been the beneficiary of Your love and grace so many times. Help us to extend to others what you have so freely lavished on us. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
MY CONFESSION: You have promised us that when we are merciful that we will receive mercy. I stand on Your Word!
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