The Apple of Your Eye

Psalm 17:6-8 (NIV) ⁶  I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer. ⁷  Show the wonder of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes. ⁸  Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings

            My dad took me with him one day to pick apples. I was probably 10-12 years old and loved doing things like this with him. I don’t remember the name or location of the orchard, but it was September in Maine and the trees would be full of beautiful apples just waiting to be snatched and put in our baskets. I’ve always loved apples and was careful to find only the biggest ones I could. On this particular day I came across a tree and saw it in the branches: the largest apple I had ever laid my eyes upon. I thought it must be the biggest apple that had ever grown in the history of the world. Compared to it all other apples were just feeble imitations. The problem was – it was out of my reach. Did I dare to leave the tree to get something to help me get to it? No way. If I did that some clown who didn’t really appreciate it would come and steal “my” apple, as it quickly came to be thought of. I couldn’t reach it from the ground. There was only one thing to do: climb the tree and venture out far enough on the branch to get a hand on it and capture the trophy. So I climbed into the tree. So far, so good. I began my way out the branch. So far, so good. But the branch began to get a little thin. Did I dare keep going? The branch might break and send me tumbling down to the ground. But the worst possibility was that my special apple might be bruised and damaged. We couldn’t have that. J..u..s..t.. a little further. One more little stretch. Finally I got my hand underneath it. It was such a big apple that all it needed was a little wiggle and it broke free. It was mine forever. Boy, was I proud. I couldn’t wait to show it off to all my family and friends – the biggest apple ever. During the ride home in the back seat I couldn’t keep my eyes off of it – sitting on the top of a basket of apples surrounded by several other bushel baskets of apples. Then I began to feel hungry. And – of the hundreds of apples in the back of the station wagon – I could have eaten any one (or two) of them. Instead – and you know I know you know what happened. I ate the prize. I devoured the “evidence”. So it became little more than a fish story about the “big one” that got away. Words don’t do justice, and only seeing is believing. Now there was nothing left to be seen and my words just weren’t convincing enough to get anyone to believe that this was the biggest apple ever in the whole wide world.

            The psalmist asks the Lord to keep him as “the apple of your eye”. What does this common phrase even mean? I feel like my grandson is the apple of my eye. But what does that really mean? In a Wikipedia article this phrase is described as meaning “something or someone that one cherishes above all”. Its meaning derives from an expression signifying the pupil of the eye, one of the most sensitive parts of the body. For example, one can tolerate an eyelash on the white of his eye, but let it barely touch the pupil, and everything else is of secondary importance. God’s people, Israel, are described as being the apple of His eye: found, shielded, cared for and guarded by Him (Deuteronomy 32:10). Young men are called to make their parents’ teachings and guidance the apple of their eye (Proverbs 7:1-2).

            The word “pupil” – for the aperture of the eye – comes from the Latin pupilla, meaning “little doll”. It refers to the tiny reflection one sees of oneself when looking into another person’s eyes. If you can see this reflection, then you know that you are the focus of the other. They have you “in their sights”. As an apple might be the treasured sight of a little boy, you and I are the treasured sight of the Lord. His eyes are upon us and we are the objects of His love and grace. If we could look into His eyes, we would see our reflection as the “apple” of His eye. To be the apple of God’s eye is an amazing thought to consider. That He would have even the time or inclination to pay any attention to me is a great wonder. But to be treasured by Him in my creatureliness and sinfulness speaks volumes about what Christ has done for me and the difference the Gospel makes – Jesus’ righteousness in me in exchange for my sin on Him. The children of Abraham longed for the blessing of God turning His face toward them and looking upon them. This was a sure sign of His favor. In Christ every believer has the assurance of God’s favor and blessing. Thank You, Lord Jesus.

Deuteronomy 32:9-10 (NIV) 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,

Proverbs 7:1-2 (NIV) ¹  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.

Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV) ²⁴  "' "The LORD bless you and keep you; ²⁵  the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; ²⁶  the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace."'

PRAYER:  Father, what a notion that I – or my family or church – are the apple of your eye. Who are we that you are even mindful of us? Yet in Christ you turn your face toward us and bless us so abundantly. Thank you for such favor. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”

Jesus Christ is Lord!    

Scott