Empty Vessel

An empty clay vessel is what I long to be; not full of myself, nor of the world.
      A vessel, emptied of carnal corruption, cleansed by the washing of the Word;
A vessel swept and garnished by the Holy Spirit, ready for the Master at His pleasure.
      An earthen vessel, though uncomely and fragile, made ready for Heavenly Treasure.

The Lord has chosen to store His Treasure in vessels of clay;
      Though plain in appearance, filled with priceless treasure – this is God’s Way.
Man’s way is to make flashy the outside, hiding that which is within,
      Making the outside to appear pure, while the inside is full of corruption and sin.


Like the six water pots of stone in Cana of Galilee;
      The number of man is six, representing you and me.
Jesus bid them be filled with water, a type of His Holy Word;
      The water was transformed into wine, portraying salvation by our Lord.


To be an empty earthen vessel is my heart’s aspiration,
      Void of carnal leaven, a vessel made ready for God’s designation.
Oh! to be used to satisfy my Savior, and to quench some sinner’s need,
      To be a vessel of honor meet for the master’s use – to be a blessing indeed!

Composed by Jim Newnam

salm 51:7
“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.”

The six-pointed Star of David is the symbol of the hyssop blossom. I have adopted the Star of David as an emblem of God’s Goodness, and Salvation.