“The dove came to him in the evening” (Genesis 8:11)

I see myself as the dove and You, Lord, as Noah. I spend the whole day trying to find somewhere to rest, and finding none, return gratefully, to You. That’s the way it is with me every day. I go out into the world as Your servant, find nothing but restless waste, and return home again. Thank You Lord, I proved Your Words true again: “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). 

 Every day I confirm the conviction there’s no lasting satisfaction in earthly things - You alone satisfy the deepest longings of my soul. My business, my possessions, my family, my attainments, are OK in their way, but they can’t begin to touch the yearnings of the New Man You created inside of me. I agree with your servant John: “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life - is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:15-17).

 Lord Jesus, abide with me all night. Every time I sleep, it’s a rehearsal for me going to heaven. “I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness” (Psalms 17:15), but I still have a life of service here. 

 I notice the dove brought in her mouth an olive branch as an offering. My offering is to present my body a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to You, which is my reasonable service. And by Your grace, I’ll not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of my mind, so I’ll prove what is Your good and acceptable and perfect will (Romans 12:1-2). Amen.