March 13

Morning

Why sit we here until we die? — 2 Kgs 7:3

Dear reader, this little book was mainly intended for the edification of believers but if you are yet unsaved, our heart yearns over you and we would gladly say a word which may be blessed to you.

Open your Bible, and read the story of the lepers, and mark their position, which was much the same as yours. If you remain where you are—you must perish; if you go to Jesus—you can but die. “Nothing ventured—nothing won,” is the old proverb, and in your case the venture is no great one. If you sit still in sullen despair, no one can pity you when your ruin comes; but if you die with mercy sought, if such a thing were possible, you would be the object of universal sympathy. None escape who refuse to look to Jesus; but you know that, at any rate, some are saved who believe in Him, for certain of your own acquaintances have received mercy—then why not you?

The Ninevites said, “Who can tell?” Act upon the same hope, and try the Lord’s mercy. To perish is so awful, that if there were but a straw to catch at, the instinct of self-preservation should lead you to stretch out your hand.

We have thus been talking to you on your own unbelieving ground, we would now assure you, as from the Lord, that if you seek Him—He will be found by you. Jesus casts out none who come unto Him. You shall not perish—if you trust Him; on the contrary, you shall find treasure far richer than the poor lepers gathered in Syria’s deserted camp! May the Holy Spirit embolden you to go at once, and you shall not believe in vain. When you are saved yourself, publish the good news to others. Tell the King’s household first, and unite with them in fellowship; let the porter of the city, the minister, be informed of your discovery, and then proclaim the good news in every place. May the Lord save you before the sun goes down this day.

Evening

Then he put forth his hand, and took her, and pulled her in unto him into the ark. — Gen 8:9

Wearied out with her wanderings, the dove returns at length to the ark as her only resting place. How heavily she flies — she will drop — she will never reach the ark! But she struggles on. Noah has been looking out for his dove all day long, and is ready to receive her. She has just strength to reach the edge of the ark, she can hardly alight upon it, and is ready to drop, when Noah puts forth his hand and pulls her back to himself in the ark. Mark that: “pulled back to himself in the ark.” She did not fly right in herself but was too fearful, or too weary to do so. She flew as far as she could, and then he put forth his hand and pulled her in unto him. This act of mercy was shown to the wandering dove, and she was not chidden for her wanderings. Just as she was—she was pulled into the ark.

So you, seeking sinner, with all your sin, will be received. “Only return” — those are God’s two gracious words — “only return.” What! nothing else? No, “only return.” She had no olive branch in her mouth this time—nothing at all but just herself and her wanderings; but it is “only return,” and she does return, and Noah pulls her in. Fly, you wanderer; fly you fainting one, dove as you are, though you think yourself to be black as the raven with the mire of sin—fly back, back to the Savior. Every moment you wait—does but increase your misery; your attempts to plume yourself and make yourself fit for Jesus are all vanity. Come to Him—just as you are. “Return, O backsliding Israel.” He does not say, “Return, O repenting Israel” (there is such an invitation doubtless) but “you backsliding one,” as a backslider with all your backslidings about you—Return, return, return! Jesus is waiting for you! He will stretch forth His hand and “pull you in” — in to Himself, your heart’s true home!