MUSINGS

INWARD TREASURE It was, so far as I could see, just an ordinary stone which was handed to me, rounded and grey coloured. Then my host put it in a press. It cracked neatly into halves and I saw that it had a hollow centre the surfaces of which were covered with a mass of attractive white and cream coloured crystals which my knowledgeable host identified as quartz, calcite, etc.

“We have this treasure in earthen vessels”, says Paul (2 Corinthians 4: 7). Outwardly the believer may look very ordinary, but let us think of what the Holy Spirit is producing within, those fine and precious gems of divine formation according to Christ. When Jesus was here men despised His

outward appearance (see Isaiah 53: 4), but who can tell the preciousness of what He was in His motives and affections. His devotion to the Father’s will.

With what zeal does the Holy Spirit devote Himself to some corresponding formation in the saints! Communion, meditation, ministry, and the pressures of illness, weakness, and sorrow are among the means He uses to further this precious inward work. May we be submissive to Him so that it may proceed quickly.

FCM