If you are following along, we have been taking a look at Genesis 8:6–12. On Monday, we looked at the contrast between the raven and the dove. Today, we will be primarily focusing on verse 9.

“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.”

You may be asking yourself, “Why would the dove leave the safety of the ark?”

For the past 10 months, the dove had been cared for, fed, kept safe, and lacked nothing. Why, then, would it leave its refuge?

The answer is quite simple: to fly. She has wings, and therefore, she flies. So, too, is it with us. We have liberties and the ability to make choices, some of which are not in our best interest. Yet, in our own restlessness, we act upon our liberty and leave the very thing that has protected us.

The dove flew herself ragged, searching for a place to rest, but found none. We, too, run ourselves ragged looking for some other love that we think will satisfy our restless hearts. But the simple truth is that we will never find lasting satisfaction apart from Christ. We must return to the One from whom we have wandered.

But here is the most beautiful part! The dove returned to the ark, and Noah reached out his hand, took her, and brought her to himself. What a beautiful picture of gentle and loving care! When we are weary and weak, Christ calls us to Himself with the same invitation:

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

Christ is the hand that lovingly reaches out to us in our weakness!