Earthen Vessels

Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer. - Proverbs 25:4

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. - 2 Corinthians 4:7

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The Master was searching for a vessel to use;
On the shelf there were many,
Which one would He choose?

"Take me," cried the gold one,
"I'm shiny and bright,
I'm of great value and I do things just right.
My beauty and luster will outshine the rest,
And for someone like you, Master,
Gold would be best."

The Master passed on with no word at all;
And looked at a silver urn, narrow and tall.
"I'll serve you, dear Master, I'll pour out Your wine
I'll be at Your table whenever You dine,
My lines are so graceful,
My carvings so true,
And silver will always compliment you."

Unheeding, the Master passed on to the brass,
Wide-mouthed and shallow, and polished like glass.
"Here! Here!" cried the vessel, "I know I will do,
Place me on Your table for all men to view."
"Look at me," called the goblet of crystal so clear,
"My transparency shows my contents so dear,
Though fragile, am I, I will serve You with pride,
And I'm sure I'll be happy in Your house to abide."

The Master came next to a vessel of wood,
Polished and carved, it solidly stood.
"You may use me, dear Master,"
The wooden bowl said,
"But I'd rather You used me for fruit, not for bread."

Then the Master looked down and saw a vessel of clay.
Empty and broken it helplessly lay.
No hope had the vessel
That the Master might choose,
To cleanse, and make whole, to fill and to use.

"Ah! This is the vessel I've been hoping to find,
I will mend and use it and make it all Mine.
I need not the vessel with pride of itself;
Nor the one who is narrow to sit on the shelf;
Nor the one who is big-mouthed and shallow and loud,
Nor one who displays his contents so proud;
Not the one who thinks he can do all things just right;
But this plain earthy vessel filled, with My power and might."

Then gently He lifted the vessel of clay,
Mended and cleansed it, and filled it that day;
Spoke to it kindly-- "There's work you must do--
Just pour out to others, as I pour into you."

B.V. Cornwall

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If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. - 2 Timothy 2:21



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