Vital Signs: Saturday, January 4, 2025

“After the flood, Noah began to cultivate the ground, and he planted a vineyard. One day he drank some wine he had made, and he became drunk and lay naked inside his tent. Ham, the father of Canaan, saw that his father was naked and went outside and told his brothers. Then Shem and Japheth took a robe, held it over their shoulders, and backed into the tent to cover their father. As they did this, they looked the other way so they would not see him naked. When Noah woke up from his stupor, he learned what Ham, his youngest son, had done. Then he cursed Canaan, the son of Ham: ‘May Canaan be cursed! May he be the lowest of servants to his relatives.’” - ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭9:20-25‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Covering in Love

Noah's sin was shameful enough, but his son Ham's sin of not covering his father’s nakedness and ridiculing him in front of his two brothers was a sin in and of itself—an extreme act of disrespect toward someone we are called to honor.

As we approach a new day, may we remember that when we see someone who has publicly shamed themselves through their own sinful act, we should respond with love. Let us be the ones who step up with an act of kindness and help, rather than dishonor, disrespect, or ridicule.

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

Team Wade loves you!