The bravery of God in trusting us! You say - "But He has been unwise to choose me, because there is nothing in me; I am not of any value." That is why He chose you. As long as you think there is something in you, He cannot choose you because you have ends of your own to serve; but if you have let Him bring you to the end of your self-sufficiency then He can choose you to go with Him to Jerusalem, and that will mean the fulfilment of purposes which He does not discuss with you.

We are apt to say that because a man has natural ability, therefore he will make a good Christian. It is not a question of our equipment but of our poverty, not of what we bring with us, but of what God puts into us; not a question of natural virtues of strength of character, knowledge, and experience - all that is of no avail in this matter. The only thing that avails is that we are taken up into the big compelling of God and made His comrades (cf. 1 Cor. 1:26-30). The comradeship of God is made up out of men who know their poverty. He can do nothing with the man who thinks that he is of use to God. As Christians we are not out for our own cause at all, we are out for the cause of God, which can never be our cause. We do not know what God is after, but we have to maintain our relationship with Him whatever happens. We must never allow anything to injure our relationship with God; if it does get injured we must take time and get it put right. The main thing about Christianity is not the work we do, but the relationship we maintain and the atmosphere produced by that relationship. That is all God asks us to look after, and it is the one thing that is being continually assailed.

Only a blast of rams’ horns and a shout—and God made the walls of proud Jericho crumble to their foundations, and the key of all Canaan was in the hand of Israel! (Joshua 6)

Only two women—one, Deborah, inspired courage in the fainting hearts of Israel’s men—the other, Jael, with a hammer and nail laid Israel’s master low; thus the end came to twenty years of mighty oppression! (Judges 4–5)

Only an ox goad—but with it six hundred Philistines were slain, and Israel delivered by Shamgar’s God! (Judges 3:31)

Only a trumpet blast, the smash of a lighted pitcher, a shout—but by these, and Gideon, God delivered Israel from the seven-year yoke of the Midianites! (Judges 6–8)

Only the jawbone of an ass—yet heaps of Philistines fell before it because God strengthened the arm that wielded it! (Judges 15)

Only a sling and a stone sent with unerring precision and directed by Almighty God—and that day Israel’s mighty men were put to shame: the giant Philistine was slain, and God’s honor was vindicated! (1 Samuel 17)

Only a few ignorant yet wholehearted and consecrated men and women—but by the power of God they were to put men in possession of that Eternal Salvation which would transform its possessors into the likeness of the Son Himself and ultimately land them in Eternal Glory!

If you are one of the base, foolish, weak ciphers of this world, then the very same power, from the very same Lord, for the very same purpose, will be yours! W. T.

Under the control of God ordinary instruments become extraordinary.

We must not be fainthearted because we are consciously poor instruments. The main question is the mastery of Him who uses the instruments.

Once Paganini, standing before a vast audience, broke string after string of his violin. Men had come to hear his greatest sonata, “Napoleon.” They hissed as he seemed to destroy all hope for continuing his performance.

Then the artist held up his violin: “One string—and Paganini,” and on that one string he made the first complete manifestation of his greatness!

It would be a poor violin, indeed, out of which Paganini could not bring music, a poor pencil with which Raphael could not create a masterpiece; and the power of the Spirit behind the least gifted one can work to glorious issues.

It is said that Gainsborough, the artist, longed also to be a musician. He bought musical instruments of many kinds and tried to play them. He once heard a great violinist bringing ravishing music from his instrument.

Gainsborough was charmed and thrown into transports of admiration. He bought the violin on which the master played so marvelously. He thought that if he had the wonderful instrument that he could play, too. But he soon learned that the music was not in the violin, but was in the master who played it.

Are you discouraged because there is so little strength, no ability you can call your own? Are you dejected because you have no resources? Think, then, what this may mean: one hour, one talent—and God! Let me put myself wholly at God’s service, whatever I may be; greatness is not required, but meetness for the Master’s use.

Only let Him have a free hand!

They called him a genius, The Fiddler; But he said, “I am only The strings Of God’s instrument, He Playing on it. It is not I, but the fiddle That sings.”

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

If any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally and upbradeth not; and it shall be given him.

The foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise. That no flesh should glory in his presence.

The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee.

All bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth.

Never man spake like this man.

Of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.

My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.—Having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise: and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: that no flesh should glory in his presence.

Lord , my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty.

When the children of Israel cried unto the Lord, the Lord raised them up a deliverer, Ehud, ... a man lefthanded.

After him was Shamgar, ... which slew of the Philistines six hundred men with an ox goad: and he also delivered Israel.

The Lord looked upon [Gideon], and said, Go in this thy might: ... have not I sent thee?

And he said unto him, O my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house.

The Lord said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me, ... lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me.

Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.—My brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.—Of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.—My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.—God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.

Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?—Not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.

We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

Who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord, or being his counsellor hath taught him?

God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: that no flesh should glory in his presence.

The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.—Born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

My Spirit remaineth among you: fear ye not.—The battle is not yours, but God's.

The Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord's.