I remember as a kid riding my bike around the neighborhood and with my dad as he jogged along beside me. One unfortunate evening, I was trying to be cool and show him how I could ride with no hands. It did not end well. I landed in the ER with many stitches in my chin. Thankfully, I did not sustain any head injuries. Those were the days when bike helmets did not yet exist. Nowadays, you can hardly purchase a bike without buying a bike helmet. Kids automatically know to put on their helmet before getting on their bike, much like we automatically put on our seatbelt when getting in the car.
The head is one of the most vulnerable parts of the body. This is why we go above and beyond these days to protect it. Injuries to the skull were even more prevalent in David and Jesus’ time. A blow to the head during battle could easily be fatal. So, in our reading for today, Psalm 140, when David says that God covered is head, he meant that God protected his life.
O God the Lord, the strength of my salvation, You have covered my head in the day of battle.
Psalm 140:7
This verse reminded me of the helmet of salvation. Paul tells us of this critical piece of armor in the Book of Ephesians.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
Ephesians 6:17
No Roman soldier would ever think of going into battle without his helmet. Just like no parent today will allow their child to ride their bike without a helmet. When the soldier put his helmet on he gained a bit of confidence. It afforded him some protection. This is what the helmet of salvation does for us believers today. It gives us confidence to press on in the battle that lies ahead of us.
In this book of Psalms we read of the evil in Davids day. Isn’t it the same for us today? We are surrounded by forces that are more powerful than us. We are constantly tempted to be anxious or stressed. We need to put on our helmet every single morning and never take it off. As we put the helmet on, we are aware of the evil around us. We pray for God’s protection and deliverance. And we pray with confidence that God will overcome all evil.