“Keep me as the apple of Your eye; Hide me under the shadow of your wings.” (Psalms 17:8)
Several times in Scripture we read the term “apple of Your eye,” but what does that mean? It means that God has a special place in His heart for His children. Just as an earthly father or mother looks after the needs of their children, so much more, does our God look after all the needs of His children. He cares about the little things and the big things as well.
A few years back my wife Miriam was going through a period of time where she didn’t feel as close to God as she wanted to. She was in the kitchen on a Sunday morning and looked into her cabinet and saw 4 bottles of vanilla that she had bought on a mission trip to Ecuador 6 months prior with the intention of giving to people as gifts, but had not done so yet. Casually she said to herself: “I wish I knew someone who needed vanilla so I can get rid of these bottles of vanilla. I don’t ever bake enough to use them.”
As we walked into the church that morning we had not gone very far when Carol, a casual friend, touched her on the shoulder and quickly asked: “Hi Miriam, do you have any vanilla? I’m baking a bunch of cakes for my husband's work and I don’t have enough.” Immediately Miriam turned to me and said: “Patrick, quick run home and get all the vanilla that we have in the kitchen cabinet!” We lived only 5 minutes away so I was able to quickly go home, retrieve the vanilla, return and give it to Carol. She was very happy but I believe Miriam was happier!
Yes, our God does take care of big things in our lives that we often take for granted, like good health, safety for ourselves and our loved ones and I suppose if you sat down and thought about it enough you would be able to remember many occasions when He has come through for you. But, you know what? He is also interested in the small things you are involved with daily! Miriam says that she was suddenly aware that day that our Lord was interested in even the small things, like how to use a few bottles of vanilla!
Do you know why our Lord is interested in the little things in your life? Because you are the “apple of His eye!” He lives inside you with the presence of His Holy Spirit! Yes, you can talk to Him at any time of the day or night about any subject that is on your heart or mind. So what are you waiting for? What do you need to talk to your Daddy about today? Is it about your job, your children, the loss of a loved one, your spouse, a relative, a situation in your church, or just a desire that is in your heart that is unfulfilled.
He has time for you right now! Stop what you are doing, get on your knees, walk outside, or sit on the couch and tell Him what is bothering you. He cares. He is listening, and don’t be surprised when He answers your prayer and don’t be mad if in some cases he says no. You are still the “apple of His eye” even when He doesn’t answer right away like He did for Miriam that day. He will answer, you are His precious child, and you are the “apple of His eye’!
“O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether. You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand on me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me: It is high, I cannot attain it. (Psalms 139:1-6)
PRAY
Lord thank You for being such a loving God that You always keep me as the “apple of Your eye” even when I don’t deserve it. You are the faithful One who is always waiting for me when I come to You.
Fill me with Your Spirit today so that I can see this day through Your eyes and react to the challenges I face with the right attitude and spirit.
Thank You Lord that I can read such powerful words from the Bible such as those in Psalms 139 that remind me that You know everything about me, and know my needs and are providing for them before I even ask!
