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bigmike

A Gift from the King
Love Worth Finding
TODAY'S DAILY DEVOTIONAL
August 23, 2025
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
EPHESIANS 2:8-9
PONDER THIS
Years ago, I heard a story of a woman who lived in a foreign country. This woman was poor, and she had a sick daughter who had said to her mother, “If I just had some fresh fruit to eat, I would feel better.” That mother had that in her mind as she went down the cobblestone streets, and as she was passing a very impressive mansion. She looked inside and saw a garden trellis with a gorgeous vine of grapes. Turning around, she saw the gardener. He admonished her, saying, “You must get out of here in a hurry. You have no business in this place!” She explained, “I just wanted to know if perhaps I could buy a bunch of grapes for my daughter who is sick.” But the gardener turned her away.
On her way out, however, the king, who had been watching, called out to her and asked about the situation. He then stepped in, instructing the gardener to hand him the shears. He said to the mother, “Hold out your apron.” She was overwhelmed, knowing the grapes were more than she could afford. But the king said, “You cannot buy these grapes. The only way that you can have them is to receive them as a gift from your king.”
The king’s actions in that story are very much like the grace of God. Grace is not bought by works of righteousness we have done, but according to His mercy. Grace is a gift of God—not of works lest any man should boast. The King's grace and the King's goodness are not for sale.
What are some ways we try to earn God’s grace? What happens when we do that?
What is special about God’s free gift of grace? Who do you need to tell about this gift?
PRACTICE THIS
Share with someone what you have appreciated about God’s gift of grace.
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