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Listen while you read: "And Can It Be That I Should Gain"1
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Ephesians 2:8-9 – For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast. (NIV)
After only fifteen hours of work, my new pressure washer began to slow down. When I stopped it, I soon discovered that it had run dry of oil, and had overheated and seized up. The motor would not turn over — a brand-new pressure washer — ruined! I felt terrible. Later, I discovered that the instruction manual said to change the oil after five hours, and to check it every eight hours. It also said, "This warranty does not extend to repairs required because of parts which are scored or broken because an engine was operated with insufficient or contaminated lubricating oil."
God supplies us with an Instruction Manual, the Bible, which tells us how best to live, and how to avoid breaking down and seizing up. Oh! If we would only read it!
I didn't sleep well that night, thinking about what I should do. The next morning, it struck me that I needed to trust that God had a plan for all this, and to "give thanks in all circumstances" (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV). So I thanked God that He had it all under control. I first phoned a friend who knows about small engines, but he wasn't home. Then, when I looked at the machine, I saw a toll-free service number, and it turned out that the company that makes the machines is located only ten miles away. Despite my neglect, out of pure grace, the company repaired the motor under warranty, much to my relief. God really did have it all under control!
If ever there was a human example of the grace of God, this was it! We do not deserve the repairs that He makes in our lives. If "the soul who sins is the one who will die" (Ezekiel 18:20 NIV), then we should all pay the price for our own sins. But Jesus paid it for us on the cross. What amazing grace!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, You didn't have to die on account of our sins, but You did. Thank You for caring so much for us that You laid down Your life. Remind us continually, so that we do not fail to thank You for Your amazing grace. Amen.
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About the author:
Robin Ross <rross@telus.net>
Mission, British Columbia, Canada
Send your feedback to the author
Hello Robin
Yes, where would we be if it were not for His amazing sacrifice?? Thank you for sharing.
Have a blessed weekend.
Dear Robin,
I always love finding one of your own devotionals among a day’s selection. I love reading about your personal experiences and contemplations. Just seeing your name brings such fond memories of your impact on my life as I wrote — and you skillfully edited! — my collection of devotionals. Those six years of writing were such a blessing to me.
Blessings to you, dear friend.
Robin, I, too, always enjoy your devotionals. Instruction manuals mean nothing if they aren’t read. And that most certainly applies to the Bible. One of the parts of the PresbyCan devotionals is the planned Bible reading. I have been using the two-year cycle for years and depend on this email to continue doing so. Thanks again for all you have done and continue to do.
Good morning Robin
Oh my goodness, I have a power washer and have used it countless times and for a few hours each time and I did not know about oil…thank you, I will check this the next time I go to use it. I like the comparison of God providing the instructions, true, if we would read His Word it could save many problems I am sure. It works for me.
God bless.