Proverbs 17

“He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates friends.” (Proverbs 17:9, NKJV)

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if no one sinned? How beautiful it would be if everyone always made the right choice! Unfortunately, we live in a fallen world, and we are all broken people. We are sinners who need grace, mercy, and forgiveness. Even the best among us falls short of God’s glorious standard.

Noah was a most remarkable man. Of all the people living on earth, Noah found favor in the eyes of God. Because of his faith and obedience, he saved his family and all the creatures of the world. But after the Flood, he planted a vineyard, drank the wine, and became drunk. He was lying naked in his tent when his son Ham entered and saw him in that condition. He immediately told his two brothers, but they would not look at their father’s nakedness. Instead, they took a garment, walked backward, and covered their father. They covered Noah’s transgression with love. When Noah awoke, he knew what Ham had done. He was angry and even cursed Ham’s son Canaan. He saw how Ham’s sin would be passed down to his descendants.

Every day we observe sins in others. Do we repeat these matters, or do we cover them with love? Do we expose others in mockery, or do we bring them to God in prayer? May the Lord help us to treat others the same way He treats us; the same way we want to be treated.

“Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8, NLT)