Psalm 5

A friend of mine recently posted a video on Facebook about the potential collapse of the American economic system (and, presumably, the eventual collapse of the global economic system as well). The video talked about how, once the dollar collapses, food and energy prices will skyrocket—leading to starvation, desperation, riots, looting, and violence. The creator of the video hypothesized that, at that point, martial law will be attempted but will fail, as the soldiers will realize that they need to protect their own families from the growing masses of angry, out-of-control people.

What a grim picture of the future.

Since I’ve read the Book of Revelation, I’m inclined to say that I don’t disagree with the video creator’s idea that there is a storm coming—and it will forever change life as we know it on this planet. Who knows when or how that will happen. The way things are going in the world right now, however, makes me wonder if it will happen sooner rather than later.

I hope so.

Because, since I’ve read the Book of Revelation, I also know the end of the story. And if the storm is what we have to go through to get to the end, then by all means, let’s get on with it and get out of here.

But, you may wonder why I’m talking about Revelation when this blog is about Psalm 5. It’s because this chapter holds the key to standing in the storm: “For you bless the godly, O Lord; you surround them with your shield of love.” (vs 12) The Hebrew word translated “shield”—tsinnah—means a large, full-body shield. Many parts of armor are specifically designed to protect a certain part of the anatomy (i.e. a helmet for the head, a breastplate for the chest, etc.), but a tsinnah protects everything.

In fact, these shields were often referred to as a gate or door because they were so long and large. A soldier could literally walk upright behind it with little fear of injury.

In the same way, God is a full-body shield of love to all those who trust in Him. And watching that video made me think about those who truly trust in God going through the coming storm. When times become desperate—and I believe they will be very desperate—there will be a group of people (maybe most people) who will resort to rioting, looting, and violence. I don’t think we can imagine how bad it will be. But, in the midst of all this chaos, I think there will be another group of people who are calm, at peace, and not afraid—even if they are starving. They will not be looting others; they will be helping others.

These are the people whose trust in God is so strong that they will be able to walk upright behind His shield of love in the midst of the storm. When the arrows and daggers of pain, suffering, starvation, and bodily harm are thrown at them, they will not be deterred, nor will their confidence in God be shaken. The weapons of the enemy will hit that shield—and the people of peace will keep right on coming. Nothing will be able to raze their faith in God. I like that visual image—the attacks of the enemy bouncing off the shield of love with a little ping here and a zing there.

The creator of the video recommended stockpiling water, food, and guns in order to protect your family and your food. I thought, maybe I’ll just do that. I’ll take a pass on the guns, but maybe I’ll gather up some extra food and water and supplies… so that when the world falls into great need, I will be able to share some food with those near me who don’t have any more.

And while they eat, I’ll tell them about the shield I’ve found—the one thing we can all have that nobody else can ever destroy or take away.