Psalm 18:33 “He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;”

[David had to be fleet and sure of foot in both his battles and his fleeing from King Saul. In our battles with the Satan and those he uses against us, you, Lord Jesus, make it possible for us to run swiftly, surely and gracefully in your paths; in your strength we can endure.

You enable us to “run with perseverance and patience the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb. 12:1b,2).  The credit for doing these things goes to you, Lord God, for you make our feet like that of a deer.]

“he enables me to stand on the heights.”

[For David, to be on the heights was to be safe, to be the winner. And you, Lord Jesus, bring us to the mountain tops of truth, wisdom and faith, guiding us through the traps and attacks of the enemy to the place of victory.

You empower us then to stand there, even though Satan tries to “throw me down– this leaning wall, this tottering fence. Surely they intend to topple me from my lofty place,” but you are “my rock, my salvation, my high tower,” and as I abide in you “I will never be shaken” “for my hope comes from you alone” (Psa. 62:1-5).

As we “put on the whole armor of God” we will “be able to stand in the evil day”—no matter what comes—“and having done all to stand” (Eph. 6:13).

Whatever triumph, whatever victory, whatever accomplishment, you are the One who brings it to pass, Lord Jesus, “for without you we can do nothing” (John 15:5). I give you praise for that. You are reigning, equipping and protecting God and worthy of glory, obedience and honor.]

Psa 18:34 “He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.”

[You prepare me on every level for what you know will come; as you put Joseph through training in Potiphar’s house, and through serving others in prison, making him ready for being the Prime Minister, so you are preparing us, equipping us, strengthening us through challenges and difficulties, getting us ready for the opportunities you know are coming.

I think of how you had me study Latin in high school and this prepared me for learning a difficult Asian language for ministry; I think of how you had me working for years in the tire shop, managing both people and business as preparation for leading the field in the Middle East.

To you be glory for your wisdom, for your knowing what will come, for your faithfulness in preparing us, for you unfailing presence with us, for the fact we can praise you now for things we neither understand or like.

We can trust you in every difficulty, responding with thanksgiving and wholeheartedly embracing our present experience, knowing that you will use it to prepare us for greater service for you in the future. Nothing comes to us randomly, only with your wisdom, plan and provision.

Help us to live in the light of this truth that you are training our hands for the battles to come, so we can effectively join you in your great plan to end history and bring in