Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings . . . Psalm 17:8
I’ve spent some time thinking about what it means to be the apple of someone’s eye. Having an apple in one’s eye is a little bizarre and interesting at best. But we’ve used that phrase to describe the worth someone has to us as an individual, placing them in very high regard. So when David writes in prayer to God, “keep me as the apple of your eye” it affirms the immense worth and value to him by God.
David understood who he was and there was no question he understood the truth about what God thought of him. Likewise, God thinks the same about us all! We are accustomed to say — in fact, I am guilty of praying this just yesterday — how grateful I am that you (God) love me so much in spite of all of my junk. My junk equates me with my raggedness but it is important to understand, know and believe — especially never to confuse — that my raggedness does not make me worthless! It does not define me!
It’s been explained that seeing the image of myself in the eye of the another person requires a closeness most find uncomfortable. But when I apply this imagery to my relationship with God, it means that I can see myself reflected in the gaze of my Father! I am the apple of God’s eye!
God sees me with absolute clarity! From deep within, He sees and knows my junk — yours too! But this is not ALL He sees! Often it is all WE see of ourselves or all WE see of others. But God sees deeply and broadly — from the inside out. He sees potential, intent, ability — what will be, what has been and knows intricately what or who we will one day become.
As I continue to walk in His footsteps, walk in His Spirit, He calls to the surface from within, the goodness, greatness and beauty of Himself that only He can see in me so that one day it will become visible to all.
Lord Jesus, it is difficult standing so close to you that I can see my own reflection in the pupil of your eye. It makes me shiver at some level. But I know that you gaze upon me with immense worthiness and love. It is undeniably rich! May I live each day remembering that I am the apple of your eye and that though you know my junk, you know more who one day I will become! The work you started, may you continue to make complete!
by: Mark Cruver
inspired by: John Ortberg’s Love Beyond Reason