The Apple of His Eye

Perhaps because it is so honest and authentic, Psalm 17:8 has always been one of my favorite verses. “Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.” Psalm 17:8 (NIV)

“Keep me as the apple of Your eye” the psalmist pleads. Can’t you just hear the desperation in his voice as he cries out to God? “Please, please, don’t ever forget me. Please don’t let me lose Your favor. Please love me. ‘Keep me as the apple of your eye.’”

I have been able to relate to this deep heart longing on many occasions throughout my Christian life. When I was hurting because of a tragic end to a treasured friendship, the promise of God’s unfailing love saw me through. I can point to many occasions when people in my life have let me down. Disappointment is a fact of life because no human being is perfect. We make mistakes. We hurt people. We are hurt by people, sometimes through no fault of our own. God has illuminated to me this verse and many others like it and taught me that, amazingly, He is different!

His love is everlasting (Jer. 31:3). I will never be separated from His love (Rom. 8:35). I will never be plucked out of His hand (Jn. 10:28). I will never be left or forsaken (Heb. 13:5).

Now for the second part of the verse above. “Hide me in the shadow of Your wings,” really hits home. Enclosed in these words is the prayer, “Please, God, whatever You do, don’t let my enemies triumph over me. I am surrounded and attacked from every side. You are my only hope! I take refuge in You. ‘Hide me in the shadow of Your wings.’”

Fear, worry, disappointment, and weariness are my enemies. When it seems as if they are winning, I can go to God in prayer, I can believe the great and precious promises contained within His Word, and I can be hidden in Him.

There will always be opportunities for disappointment and heartache. There will always be the temptation to be scared and anxious, but I can rest protected, hidden, and safe in God! I am the apple of His eye, and He will be ever ready and waiting to shelter me beneath His wings.