WHO IS PROTECTING YOUR HEAD? ARE YOU WEARING YOUR HELMET?

BIG IDEA: THE LORD HIMSELF IS OUR HELMET OF SALVATION
FOR PROTECTION AGAINST THE ATTACKS OF THE WICKED

INTRODUCTION:
cf. importance of wearing your seat belt; of wearing your helmet when you bicycle; of wearing a helmet when you play football; head is a vulnerable area that
must have maximum protection


I. (:1-5) CRY FOR PROTECTION / PROTECTION IS NECESSARY

A. Action Requested
“Rescue me” … “Preserve me” (:1)
“Keep me” … “Preserve me” (:4)

B. Attackers Identified
“evil men” (:1)
“violent men” (:1,4)
“wicked” (:4)
“proud” (:5)

C. Attackers Described

1. Always Plotting to Attack the righteous
“Who devise evil things in their hearts”

2. Given to Violence
“They continually stir up wars”

3. Specialize in Malicious Slander
“They sharpen their tongues as a serpent;
Poison of a viper is under their lips”

D. Attackers’ Goal
“Who have purposed to trip up my feet”

E. Attackers’ Deceitfulness – Using various types of traps to try to capture their prey
“have hidden a trap for me, and cords;
They have spread a net by the wayside; They have set snares for me”


II. (:6-8) CASE FOR PROTECTION / PROTECTION MAKES SENSE

A. Because God Hears and Answers the Prayers of His People
“I said to the Lord, ‘Thou art my God;
Give ear, O Lord, to the voice of my supplications”.B. Because God Is a Helmet of Salvation to Protect His People
“O God the Lord, the strength of my salvation,
Thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.”

C. Because the Wicked Cannot Be Allowed to Win
“Do not grant, O Lord, the desires of the wicked;
Do not promote his evil device, lest they be exalted.”


III. (:9-11) CALL FOR RETRIBUTION / PROTECTION INCLUDES VENGEANCE
No Helmet of Salvation on Their Head
“As for the head of those who surround me”
Instead:

A. They Will Reap the Evil They Have Sown
“May the mischief of their lips cover them”

B. They Will Be Destroyed and Cast Into the Lowest Pits
“May burning coals fall upon them;
May they be cast into the fire,
Into deep pits from which they cannot rise”

C. They Will Enjoy No Peace Or Security But Be Pursued by Evil
“May a slanderer not be established in the earth;
May evil hunt the violent man speedily”


(:12-13) CONCLUSION: THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE
THE LORD PROVIDES JUSTICE FOR THE OPPRESSED RIGHTEOUS
“I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted,
And justice for the poor.
Surely the righteous will give thanks to Thy name;
The upright will dwell in Thy presence.”

* * * * * * * * * *

DEVOTIONAL QUESTIONS:

1) Look at the influence the Master Serpent has on all of his servant serpents: teaching them his wiles and methods of deceit and attack. Are we good disciples
of our Master? Are we practicing the kind of warfare techniques and using the weapons that He has provided?

2) Are we like our Lord in sticking up for the rights of the oppressed and doing our part to maintain their cause?

3) Study the concept of the Helmet of Salvation from Ephesians 6 and other.Scriptures. Do we have the confidence and assurance of the Lord’s salvation?

4) Are we walking circumspectly, aware of Satan’s devices and on the lookout for the types of snares and traps he has laid? Or are we careless and giving opportunity for the devil to tempt us?

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