Martyn Lloyd-Jones wrote, “The divine Instructor has taken us under his wing and he is putting us through our exercises so that hands which hang down can be lifted up, and feet are straightened out, and a lame man is helped to walk. The Instructor is saying such things as, now “Keep moving, don’t let yourself get stiff, keep the joints moving, keep them as supple as you can.”
God is a teacher and trainer so you can fight a spiritual battle. Peoples’ lives depend on it. Psalms 140-145 explains the preparation required to be God’s instrument to help others submit to Christ. God rescues you from evil. He corrects. He releases you from bondage. He acts powerfully so you can praise His works to the next generation. He provides and saves.
Rescue me from evil men who stir up wars. Their tongues are like a serpent who hid a trap and set snares for me. I pray to the Lord, the strength of my salvation, who covers my head in the day of battle to stop their wicked desires or evil devices. May burning coals fall upon them and they be cast into the fire to prevent any slander. The Lord maintains the cause of the afflicted and justice for the poor so the righteous will dwell in His presence (Ps. 140:1-13). God rescues you from evil to dwell in His presence.
May my prayer be counted as incense in the evening. Set a guard over my mouth and heart so I don’t practice wickedness or participate with those that do. Let the righteous lovingly reprove me so I keep focused on the Lord and escape from wicked snares (Ps. 141:1-10). God and others correct you to stay focused on the Lord.
I declare my trouble before the Lord when my spirit is overwhelmed within me. God knows my path even when no one cares. Deliver me from my persecutors for they are too strong from me. Bring me out of prison so I can thank God with the righteous surrounding me. God deals bountifully with me (Ps. 142:1-7). God releases you from bondage to thank Him for His goodness.
Answer me in faithfulness and righteousness for the enemy has persecuted and overwhelmed my soul. I meditate on God’s works. Answer me quickly so I hear His love in the morning. Teach me the way I should walk and deliver me from my enemies. Teach me to do His will so I allow the Holy Spirit to lead me. Revive me, bring my soul out of trouble and destroy those who afflict my soul (Ps. 143:1-12). God teaches you to do His will.
Blessed be the Lord who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle. Because of His love and power, He subdues peoples under me if I take refuge in Him. He delivers me from deceit and falsehood. God rescued David His servant from the evil sword. Let our sons be as grown-up plants and daughters as corner pillars with our healthy flocks reproducing thousands. How blessed are people whose God is the Lord (Ps. 144:1-15). God trains you for battle so people submit to God and bless His name.
I will bless my King everyday and praise His greatness forever. One generation will praise His works to another and declare His mighty acts. I will meditate on His wonderful works. Men will speak of His powerful and awesome acts, tell of His greatness and shout joyfully of His righteousness (Ps. 145:1-7). God acts powerfully so you can praise His works to the next generation.
The Lord is gracious, merciful, slow to anger, loving and good to all. His godly ones will speak of the glory of His kingdom and make known His mighty acts. He gives food and satisfies the desire of those who wait on Him (Ps. 145:8-16). God provides food and satisfies the desire of those who wait on Him so you can speak of His glory.
The Lord is near to those who call upon Him in truth. He fulfills their desires, hears their cries and saves them. The Lord keeps all who love Him (Ps. 145:17:21). God saves all who call upon Him in truth so they can praise Him.
What work is God doing in your life to prepare you for the spiritual battle as an instrument to help others submit to Christ?
