Beginning of the End - Ellen G. White

ruler, a priest, or a Levite. He thought of himself as the least
important in his father's house. But he was distrustful of himself and
was willing to follow the guidance of the Lord. God selects those
whom He can best use. "Before honor is humility." (Proverbs
15:33). He will make them strong by joining their weakness to His
might, and wise by connecting their ignorance with His wisdom.
Few can be trusted with any large amount of responsibility or
success without becoming forgetful of their dependence on God.
This is why, in choosing instruments for His work, the Lord passes
by people whom the world honors as great, talented, and brilliant.
They are proud and feel qualified to act without God's counsel.
Trust in God and obedience to His will are as essential in
spiritual warfare as they were to Gideon and Joshua in their battles
with the Canaanites. God is just as willing to work with the efforts
of His people now and to accomplish great things through weak
instruments. God is "able to do exceedingly abundantly above all
that we ask or think." (Ephesians 3:20).
When the men of Israel had joined together to Gideon's call
against the Midianites, the tribe of Ephraim had remained behind.
Gideon did not send them any special appeal, and they saw this as
an excuse to not join their brothers. But when news of Israel's
triumph reached them, the Ephraimites were envious because they
had not shared it.
After the spectacular defeat of the Midianites, they followed up
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