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.

Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?

Jesus, . . . saw two brethren, . . . casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me.

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

My speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God.

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.

Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolators, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

You hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world; among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind.

According to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour.

My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

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.