THE APPLE OF GOD'S EYE

Psalms 17:8 Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of Thy wings.

This text is taken from a Psalm of David as he implored God to keep him safefrom all harm. David expresses his confidence in God that He wouldintercede on his behalf to save him from King Saul and his followers. David confesses that, although he walked in the God's paths, he was afraid he would slip and stumble. Therefore, he needed God's arm of support as he walked with Him trying to do His will. Being exposed to imminent danger at this time, David sought God's protection from his adversaries.

Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of Thy wings. The latter part of this verse is an analogy of a mother hen gathering her chicks under the protection of her wings. The first part of this verse references the"apple of the eye". David is asking for God's protection as the apple of the eye.

In Deuteronomy 32:10, Jacob is referred to as being led and instructed by God and was considered to be the "apple of His eye". In Zechariah 2:8, reference is made to God's chosen people, the Jewish nation, andthe protection they sought fromtheir enemies. Regarding this, Zechariah wrote for he that toucheth you (the Jewish nation) toucheth the apple of His (God's) eye.

This expression, "the apple of His eye" is interesting. This phrase literally means the small image, or the small person that is reflected on one's eye. If you are sitting face to face with another person, you can look into their eyes and see a small miniature reflection of yourself. It's as if David,Jacob, and the Jewish nation, as noted above,were sitting in front of God petitioning Him for His loving protection. It's as if they were the focus of God's eye. They were looking at God and He was giving them His undivided attention. As they were sitting face to face, they could look into God's eyes and see a reflection of themselves. They were indeed the"apple of God's eye". There can be no greater expression of Fatherly love than this.

How great is God's love for His children? Consider this passage from Ephesians 2:4-7. But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. God's children were once dead in their sins, but through His love were made alive again by accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior. Through His son Jesus, God has given the greatest gift of all to the world.

If God's love is offered to all people of the world, how does one put themselves in the position to accept the benefits of this great love offered by God? The answer is that we must get to know God and demonstrate our love for Him. How do we do this? 1 John 2:1-5 states that Jesus Christ is our advocate with God. Verses 3 though 5 says, And hereby we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth His word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in Him."

Study your bible. Learn how God expects His children to conduct their lives. Sit face to face with God in prayer seeking His wisdom, guidance, forgiveness, and mercy. Let nothing come between you and your God - nothing that would hinder your reflection in God's eye. Remember, as a child of God, you are The Apple of His Eye.