Dusty Gears

Psalm 51:1-12

Jeremy stopped in at the jewelry repair shop where Uncle Curtis was just lifting a large metal clock down from a shelf. “Hello, there,” called Uncle Curtis. “Did you come to help me fix the chimes on this old clock?”

Jeremy grinned at his uncle. “I’ll just watch,” he said.

Uncle Curtis opened the back of the clock, and in a few minutes he had found the problem. “Look here, Jeremy,” he said. “These gears are the ones that control the chimes. They have little cogs that interlock so that as they turn, each gear turns the next gear. Then these tiny hammers can strike to sound the chimes. Can you see what the problem is here—why this old clock can’t chime?”

Jeremy leaned closer. He liked to see all the little wheels and gears that moved in the old clocks. “Looks like there’s dirt inside there,” he said.

Uncle Curtis nodded. “That’s right. And all the dirt prevents the cogs from fitting together properly.”

“That sounds simple to fix,” remarked Jeremy.

“Shouldn’t take too long,” agreed Uncle Curtis. Jeremy watched his uncle clean each cog. He talked as he worked. “Got any dust in your gears, Jeremy?”

“Huh?” Jeremy asked. “What do you mean?”

“Well, these clock gears are a lot like people,” explained Uncle Curtis. “Those who read their Bibles and put God first keep ‘dust’ from gathering in their ‘cogs.’ What do you suppose that ‘dust’ is?”

Jeremy thought about it. “I guess it must be sin.”

“Right.” Uncle Curtis nodded. “When we let sin build up in our lives, it keeps us from functioning properly and from fulfilling God’s purpose for us.” He smiled at Jeremy. “Well, that should do it. Let’s check the chimes of this clock.” Uncle Curtis adjusted the hands, and Jeremy waited. Then the clock began to chime.

How about You?

Is there anything keeping you from living for Jesus? Perhaps there’s unconfessed sin—a lie, a nasty remark you made, or a person you need to forgive. Keep your life running smoothly by confessing the things you do wrong and seeking God’s help.

Memorize:

“Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin.” Psalm 51:2