Genesis 9:18–24 (NIV84)
18The sons of Noah who came out of the ark were Shem, Ham and Japheth. (Ham was the father of Canaan.) 19These were the three sons of Noah, and from them came the people who were scattered over the earth. 20Noah, a man of the soil, proceeded to plant a vineyard. 21When he drank some of its wine, he became drunk and lay uncovered inside his tent. 22Ham, the father of Canaan, saw his father’s nakedness and told his two brothers outside. 23But Shem and Japheth took a garment and laid it across their shoulders; then they walked in backward and covered their father’s nakedness. Their faces were turned the other way so that they would not see their father’s nakedness. 24When Noah awoke from his wine and found out what his youngest son had done to him,
Proverbs 25:28 (NIV84)
28Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.
The story of Noah’s drunkenness is a stark and uncomfortable one. Here is the man who stood alone against a corrupt world, a towering figure of faith who found grace in the eyes of the Lord. Yet, after the waters receded and the rainbow hung in the clouds, we find him uncovered and vulnerable in his tent. It serves as a potent reminder that the greatest of saints can stumble, and the flood that cleansed the world could not cleanse the human heart of its propensity for sin.
The writer of Proverbs gives us a powerful image for this moment: “A man without self-control is like a city without walls.” In the ancient world, a city’s walls were everything. They were its defense, its identity, its very means of civilization. Inside the walls, law, commerce, and community could flourish. Outside was chaos. For a man like Noah, who had just weathered the ultimate storm, to dismantle his own defenses through a lack of self-control is a profound tragedy. Drunkenness here is not merely about the consumption of alcohol; it is about the abdication of stewardship. We are guardians of our bodies, minds, and spirits—treasures given to us by God. To willingly lower those defenses is to invite chaos into the very citadel of the soul.
This private failing quickly becomes a public crisis. Ham’s response, a mixture of disrespect and mockery, reveals a deeper brokenness. He sees his father’s vulnerability not as a moment for compassion and protection, but as an opportunity for scorn. The contrast with Shem and Japheth is telling. They walk backward, refusing to gaze upon their father’s shame, and cover him. They understand that honor is not just for the honorable moments, but is a choice to protect and restore, even when confronted with weakness. This single incident reveals a deep fissure in the heart of the post-flood world, proving that a greater flood and a more perfect Ark would be needed to truly save humanity.
Reflect, Share & Prayer: Reflect on a time when your own lack of self-control, perhaps in a less dramatic way than Noah’s, created a vulnerable situation for yourself or others. What did that experience teach you about the subtle ways sin can unravel our defenses? Ask God for the strength to be a guardian of the life He has given you.
Since I’ve become a father (25 years ago) I’ve gotten drunk twice-the last time was at my 40th bday party when my little brother asked me if he could bring his friend, John. I replied:”If you must.” I know John’s temperament. He came through the door of our rental beach house in La Jolla with a bottle of vodka in one hand and tequila in the other:”It’s your birthday!”
I blacked out sometime around midnight. A group of buddies knocked on the door at 7am-we were supposed to go surfing and the Lord had sent a beautiful south swell-4-5 foot peaks in the backyard of our rental. I took one look at the waves and almost threw up.
“Never again”. I said. Kathy had to drive us home that day and in my stupor, I didn’t fasten the surfboards (including my custom-made birthday board that my friends had made for me) to the roof correctly so they ended up on the 5 freeway. By God’s grace (another long story) the birthday board was rescued by a stranger without a scratch!
God’s grace and mercy covering up my shame.
I’ll have a glass of wine once or twice a week now-usually on the Sabbath but “Never again” is still my refrain.
Reflect, Share & Prayer:
I too reading this can completely relate. In the past, there been many times where I partied so hard. I completely lost control of myself. It’s like opening the door to darkness. I think whether we consume alcohol or drugs that takes you to another level of vulnerability and not being able to have self control. Which had led me to sin and regrets in the past. I do not live like that today. I choose to always have a clear head and a clear mind. Even when I go to parties, the furthest I go will be dancing. And I have so much more fun and I get to remember everything most importantly. lol
Dear heavenly father, I wanna thank you so much for my way of life without drugs and alcohol. I not only have a clear mind, but I feel very good about myself. Thank you, God for giving me the will in the strength to be able to live my days focused on you not having to rely on any substance. Lord, I pray that you give me the courage and the guidance to be able to share the good news to those around me. Lord, I pray that you be able to use me an example to show others that there is another way and that is a relationship with you. In Jesus name I pray amen.
(from Roger)
Father,
I see in Noah’s story a true reflection of my own struggles and weakness and propensity to sin. 😉 You have faithfully delivered me through many storms, yet I know how easily I can let my guard down. At times, I feel the darkness of addiction and old ingrained ways of behavior reaching out to me, calling me almost to go back. Please continue to teach me to guard my heart, mind, and soul with diligence and to build the walls of self-control through prayer, humility, obedience, and fellowship with man.
When I see the mistakes and failings of others, help me respond not with judgment or condemnation but with compassion. Make me like Shem and Japheth, one who is quick to act with love, one who covers, protects, and restores rather than spreads evil and hate.
Continue to strengthen me as I know you have, to be a faithful guardian of the life you’ve granted me. Grant me vision so that I am able to recount your blessings and continue to stand guard and have my walls stand firm not through my own doings or my ego or pride, but through your divine grace. I pray all this to you lord, in Jesus’s name. Amen.
I have seen throughout my life that my blessing without fear has caused me to stumble and forget that my position was one a blessing and second an opportunity to be a light for others. I get lost in the success and get too ambitious by chasing what the world defines success as. It has often led to everything crashing down to a point where I am reminded that I have forgotten my ways and the whole reason why I am in the leadership position in the first place. I pray that I remember to fear the lord and remind myself of the blessing and purpose for his kingdom in the midst as a teacher and success.
I would never forget when I was young, I was very stubborn. I didn’t want to do what older people tell me to do even it was for my own good. I once got into a big argument with my grandparents. I was disrespectful and sassy. But my grandma was so patient with me, even when I didn’t deserve it. Later, I realized how much my attitude hurt her feelings, and I felt ashamed. That moment taught me that losing self-control doesn’t just hurt ourselves, but also the people who love us most.
God please help me, give me strength so I can fully control my life and live like what you want to live.
From Hoa
When I first started teaching I had different moments of challenges that left me feeling frustrated. These moments also left me vulnerable. I would act based on my feelings rather than logic or wisdom. These moments taught me that sin can unravel our self control. In those moments, we are consumed either in the “storm” and “wind” rather than thinking through things.
God,
Thank you for carrying me through all these years of teaching. Thank you for helping me cultivate more love, patience, and self-control in dealing with difficult situations with students and parents. Will you continue to guide me and lead me as I depend on you for to refill my cup, so I can have more strength and wisdom to maintain self control
own lack of self-control
The incidents are numerous where I was unable to tame my tongue, whether at frustration at a student or coworker or family and friends it all resulted in me being in some kind of being reprimanded. Yes, there is triggers such as stress and exhaustion and hormones, but I have learned over the years that regardless of what my body is doing I still need to have self control over what I say and how I make others feel. There is a split second of where I’m able to decide to follow my gut to restrain or to let it all out and through therapy and self-awareness, I’ve learned that it’s better to follow my gut and just remain silent until I’m at a calmer state of mind. Louise
Last year, I was eating out a lot. At the time, I thought it was not a big deal. But I started to realize how much impact it had on my financial and health. And now I understand why small sin can unravel our defenses. Father God, sorry for letting the small sin slip through in my life. I should surrender my life completely to you with nothing hold back. There’s nothing I could control better than you. So I pray that you will give me the strength to trust you as the guardian of my life. Amen.
There was a time when I lost control of my bad temper and went into fight with my coworker. We fought each other just because of minor issues at work, and when that happened at work, we both felt ashamed and embarrassed afterwards. Sin is always croutching at my door. If I let it in, it’s gonna mess up everything in my heart. If I lose control of my anger, it’s gonna be very destructive towards me and others. God I know I can’t rely on myself to control my anger. But you are my defense, my fortress and my foundation. I depend on You to get self control so that I can fight against sins.