8 Keep me as THE APPLE OF YOUR EYE;
hide me in the shadow of your wings
9 from the wicked who are out to destroy me,
from my mortal enemies who surround me. Psalm 17
Psalm 17 is a Prayer of David for deliverance from his enemies and he uses an unusual little phrase in his prayer, ‘Keep me as The Apple of Your Eye’. David was continually pursued by enemies from within his own people (Saul) and by the Philistines and many others. David doesn’t just send up another prayer to God for His help, but speaks to Him in an intimate way.
8 Keep me as the APPLE OF YOUR EYE;
hide me in the SHADOW OF YOUR WINGS Psalm 17
David didn’t just ask for God’s help again and again, he wanted to know God’s presence with him. He felt the need to be CLOSE TO GOD in all the trials and tribulations he faced in his life. The Scripture tells us that, ‘God is Love’, 1 John 4:8 and Love needs find someone to confide in. God is a God of Relationships and each of us can move beyond just asking for our needs to be met, to asking God to know His love in a personal way for ourselves. Relationship always takes time, but good relationships are so rewarding, some of the most precious and important things here on earth.
Some other scriptures which speak of ‘US’ BEING THE APPLE OF GOD’S EYE.
9 FOR THE LORD’S PORTION IS HIS PEOPLE,
Jacob his allotted inheritance.
10 In a desert land he found him,
in a barren and howling waste.
HE SHIELDED HIM AND CARED FOR HIM;
HE GUARDED HIM AS THE APPLE OF HIS EYE,
11 like an eagle that stirs up its nest
and hovers over its young,
that spreads its wings to catch them
and carries them aloft. Deuteronomy 32
Our God is not distant nor uncaring, He is a loving Father and Son. These are beautiful words of His tenderness towards His people.
7 My son, keep my words
and store up my commands within you.
2 Keep my commands and you will live;
guard my teachings as the APPLE OF YOUR EYE.
3 Bind them on your fingers;
write them on the tablet of your heart. Proverbs 7
God told Israel (who never had His indwelling Spirit) how they should live so that He could bless and care for them.
8 For this is what the Lord Almighty says: “After the Glorious One has sent me against the nations that have plundered you—for whoever touches you touches THE APPLE OF HIS EYE— 9 I will surely raise my hand against them so that their slaves will plunder them. Zechariah 2
A warning for all those today who seek to hurt and harm the people of God.
37 ‘Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, HOW OFTEN I HAVE LONGED TO GATHER YOUR CHILDREN TOGETHER, AS A HEN GATHERS HER CHICKS UNDER HER WINGS, Matthew 23
Some of the Lord’s words as He drew near the time of His crucifixion, once again an expression of Love for His people before His ultimate sacrifice and such a cruel death.
May the Lord bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.