THE CHILDREN AS VESSELS
The glad tidings may be seen in one way as a search for vessels, both to be filled and also for pouring out. As Gentile believers we are especially "vessels of mercy... prepared for glory, us, whom he has also called". As such we are able in our measure to hold for enjoyment and for witness the riches of God's glory. It is by answering to the call by name that the believer as a vessel is found and brought into use. Thus it was with Abram, a mature man, who was called by the God of glory but also with Samuel, a teenager, to whom so much was entrusted. What treasure of the knowledge of God they and many others had - and do have - in their earthen vessels!
As fore-shadowed in Elisha's ministry there is now also a search for vessels to be filled with the Holy Spirit - "Bring me yet a vessel". In recent weeks we have heard of young believers desiring and receiving the Spirit. Every reader, however young, of these pages should be much concerned as to this and should pray to the Father about it. God gives His Spirit to those who are obedient so that it is first of all necessary to know and confess Jesus as Lord. Then the fruit of the dwelling within of the Spirit shows itself in a variety of ways - just as there are many varieties of each dessert fruit that we know. One sign of His presence is love for our fellow-believers, others are joy in the Lord and witness for Him, being able to tell better the difference between right and wrong and cleaving to what is good. When young I related to the Holy Spirit the fact that at meetings of the saints, or otherwise in company with those who had the Spirit I found that I understood and enjoyed the Lord's things better.
From household or private reading in the book of Ezra the older children may remember the mention of "two vessels of shining copper, precious as gold". These were brought back by returning captives and were to be used in the service of worship and praise to God. Copper is often connected in Scripture with suffering, as in the altar of sacrifice, and those shining vessels are like Christians who keep 'bright' even through great trials. Every believing school-child must feel in some way the reproach of confessing Jesus as Lord; some young ones may be more or less handicapped for life; others may be in very trying circumstances. Yet heaven observes all these things and also sees the brightness of spirit which reflects its own provision of needed grace. The captive maid in the house of Naaman is a good example of this. What about you and me?
J.C.Evershed