MUSINGS

“STILL VIGOROUS IN OLD AGE”, Psalm 92: 14. It was in a forest in Essex—part of the great forest which centuries ago covered the whole county—that we saw what remained of an old oak. Most of it had rotted away; the trunk was just a hollow shell, yet, above us, the branches were vigorous and the leaves fresh and green. It is fine to see this in aged or afflicted Christians—the body, and perhaps the mind, worn, frail, and limited, but the spirit fresh and mellow, sustained by divine grace, the outward man consumed, but the inward renewed day by day (2 Corinthians 4: 16).

THE CHEER OF NEW LIFE For years in the garden a fuchsia had burst into new life each spring. This year there was no sign of this happening and we thought the frosts had killed it.

But a few weeks later we discovered a profusion of fresh green shoots—it was still alive!

Soon there was a cheerful display of flowers.

How specially welcome and attractive is new life! No doubt that is why part of the decoration of Solomon’s temple was “half-open flowers” (1 Kings 6: 32). There is special joy for Christ, and for His people, as His work begins to show itself in young people. It appears in many ways. Someone confesses the Lord; another asks to break bread; a boy begins to pray in the prayer meeting; it is seen in obedience, helpfulness, love for the saints, and interest in the things of the Lord. So the Holy Spirit maintains life and spiritual colour from generation to generation.

FCM