March 13

Morning

Now there were four men with leprosy at the entrance of the city gate, and they said to one another, “Why just sit here until we die? — 2 Kgs 7:3 BSB

Dear reader, this devotional was written primarily to encourage and build up believers, but if you have not yet been saved, our heart goes out to you, and we want to say something that might lead you to God’s grace.

Open your Bible and read the story of the lepers, and consider their situation—it is much like yours. If you stay where you are, you will perish. But if you go to Jesus, what have you to lose? The old proverb says, “Nothing ventured, nothing gained,” and in your case, the venture is not so risky. If you sit still in despair, no one will pity you when your ruin comes, but if you die seeking mercy—even if that were possible—you would at least die seeking hope. Those who refuse to look to Jesus will not escape, but you know that some who have believed in Him have been saved—why not you?

The Ninevites said, “Who can tell?” Why not take a chance on God’s mercy, just as they did? To perish is so terrifying that, if there is even a sliver of hope, shouldn’t you reach for it? We’ve been reasoning with you based on your own doubts and fears, but now we assure you, based on God’s Word, that if you seek Him, He will be found by you. Jesus will not cast out anyone who comes to Him. If you trust Him, you will not perish—on the contrary, you will find treasure far greater than what the lepers gathered in the deserted camp of the Syrians. May the Holy Spirit give you the courage to come to Jesus now, and you will not seek Him in vain. Once you are saved, share the good news with others. Tell the people of God first, and join them in fellowship. Tell your pastor about your discovery, and proclaim the good news wherever you go. May the Lord save you before the sun sets this very day.

Evening

But the dove found no place to rest her foot, and she returned to him in the ark, because the waters were still covering the surface of all the earth. So he reached out his hand and brought her back inside the ark. — Gen 8:9 BSB

Like the dove, worn out by her wandering, finally returns to the ark, we too, weary from our own paths, must come back to our true place of rest. See how tired she is—her wings are heavy, and she seems like she won’t make it. But still, she presses on. Noah, watching and waiting for his dove all day, sees her coming and is ready to receive her. She barely has the strength to land on the ark—she’s so close to giving up. But Noah reaches out his hand and pulls her into the safety of the ark.

What a picture of grace! Noah pulls her into the ark, just as she is, weary and without strength. She didn’t fly all the way in herself—Noah’s hand brought her in. Just like that dove, you too, weary and burdened by your sin, will be received by Jesus. The message is simple: “Only return.” That’s all. Nothing else is required—just return. The dove had no olive branch this time, nothing to offer, just herself and her weariness. But Noah still took her in. Fly back to the Savior, dear soul, even if you feel as stained as a raven, dirty with the mire of sin. Fly back to Jesus. The longer you wait, the worse your misery becomes. Stop trying to clean yourself up to make yourself worthy of Him—it’s all in vain. Come to Him as you are. “Return, O backsliding Israel.” Notice, He doesn’t say, “Return, O repentant Israel.” While there is an invitation for repentance, here He calls to you in your current state of backsliding, with all your failings still clinging to you—“Return, return, return!” Jesus is waiting for you. He will stretch out His hand and pull you into Himself—your true home.