Weary from its journey, the dove finally returns to the ark, its only resting place. It struggles in flight, appearing as if it might not make it back. But it presses on. Noah has been eagerly watching for his dove all day. He stands ready to receive it.

With barely enough strength, the dove reaches the ark's edge, nearly falling before Noah extends his hand and pulls it in. Notice that: "pulled her in." She couldn't fly in on her own, too afraid or exhausted to do so. She came as far as she could, and Noah drew her in. This mercy was shown to the wandering dove, and it wasn't scolded for its wandering.

Just as it was, it was brought into the ark. So you, searching sinner, with all your sin, will be welcomed. "Only return." Those are God's gentle words: "only return." Is that really all?

Yes, "only return." The dove came back with nothing, no olive branch—just itself and its wanderings. But "only return" was enough, and Noah drew it in. So fly, wanderer. Though you feel covered in the grime of sin, like a raven, return to the Savior. Every moment you delay only adds to your suffering. Trying to clean yourself for Jesus is pointless. Come as you are.

"Return, you backsliding Israel." He doesn't say, "Return, you repenting Israel" (though such an offer exists), but "you backsliding one," with all your failures. Return, return! Jesus waits for you. He'll extend his hand and "pull you in" to himself, your true home.