… but the dove found no resting place for the sole of her foot,
so she returned to him into the ark;
for the water was on the surface of all the earth.
Then he put out his hand and took her and brought her into the ark to himself.Genesis 8:9

Stop. Don’t read another word.

Close your eyes and see what you have just read.

Noah is standing at the railing, peering into the distance, anxiously looking for the dove. He didn’t eat. He stayed at that post all night, watching, concerned, hoping. Can you envision his releasing the dove? Did he stroke that soft, white head just one last time? Did he whisper encouragement to that little creature and hold his arm up to let her fly with one last word, “Remember where I am. Come back. I’ll be here, waiting.”

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Lord, I know it’s dangerous to lift a verse out of Your word and take it from the story that You are telling us. I hesitate to do this, and before I do I always examine it carefully to be sure that the verse agrees with the teachings of the New Covenant that I have entered into with You, and with what I have come to know about this God-man, Jesus Christ.

This verse is taken completely out of context, but it is completely true. It does not veer from the character of God, from the integrity of Jesus Christ, or from the whisperings that come to us from the Holy Spirit.

And Lord, I relate. There is no place in the world for me to rest, for me to put “the sole of my foot.” But, I can fly back to the ark and You’re there watching for me. Waiting for me. With Your hand outstretched for me to light. Then, You take me into the ark. Into the peace and security of Your presence. You minister to my needs, You hold me and comfort me and assure me of Your love.

How many times during the course of my day, do I turn and make my way back to the ark? Disillusioned. Afraid. Anxious. There are times when I rush frantically to that refuge, there are other times when I’m weary and “world-sick,” and then, there are those times when I’m just lonesome for You.

Thank You that You are close enough for my thought to find You.