Do you know how precious you are? Bronlynn reminds us that we’re the apple of God’s eye.
“Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings (Psalm 17:8).
I love apples–the taste, smell, and feel of them. Although I eat them year round, I especially connect them with late summer and early fall because of various apple-related events here in Virginia.
What does it mean to be the apple of God’s eye? A few possible meanings are to be cherished above all others, to be very dear to someone, or to be the focus of someone (since the pupil is the center of the eye and focuses on objects). It means we are very special and precious to God.
Many times I feel that to be true, but other times my pain and trials cause me to doubt. It is interesting to note the contexts in which God says we are the apple of His eye.
In Zechariah 2:8, Israel had been plundered by enemies because of their faithlessness, yet God said He would be merciful to them and rebuild them (Zechariah 1:17). They were “His most precious possession” (New Living Translation).
In Deuteronomy 32:10, Moses was recounting Israel’s wilderness wanderings because of their faithlessness, yet God found them in their barren and howling waste and cared for them. In Psalm 17:8, David believed He was the apple of God’s eye despite his life-threatening experiences not only with pagans but Israelites as well (King Saul).
Being precious and greatly loved by God may not keep us from unpleasant, difficult, or even dangerous circumstances. But regardless of how our lives and struggles appear to us, we must keep believing in faith that God’s loving and watchful focus is always on us, working out His perfect plan for us.
The next time I bite into an apple, not only can I thank God that I am the apple of His eye, but also pray that I will maintain faith in Him and His commands as the apple of my eye (Proverbs 7:2). Then I will enjoy physical fruit as well as spiritual fruit!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, how comforting it is to know that I am so precious to You. May my earthly sufferings not cause me to doubt this wonderful truth. Amen.
About the author:
Bronlynn Spindler lives in VA and is blessed to have the support and encouragement of a wonderful husband and three grown daughters. God’s grace and strength have brought her through thyroid cancer and continue to sustain her through ongoing back pain, depression, headaches, multiple sensitivities, eye pain, and fibromyalgia. You may view her blog of devotionals at www.aplaceofsprings57.blogspot.com.
Do you have trouble believing you are the apple of God’s eye? In what specific ways can You see His loving care and focus on you through your sufferings?
You are the apple of God’s eye. You are precious to Him. This 3-minute video is one woman sharing (with photos) just how precious you are to the Lord! We all need to hear this–daily, I think. –Lisa
This was a very comforting and sweet devotional for a rainy, quiet Saturday morning. Thank you!
Good morning dear friend! I love the timing of this devotional, it cannot be an “accident.” I too love apples, and their are many apple orchards around where we live. Earlier this week, on a perfect, sunny fall day, Larry took me for a long ride around the hills, farms, and orchards. It was breathtaking! At the orchard we buy apples at, they were offering hayrides through the pumpkin patches. After we got home, I was looking thru cross stitch patterns to do for Christmas, and one that I will be making is a shelf full of apples, with the verse about being the “Apple of God’s eye.”
Today, on a cold rainy day, your devotion was posted. What a beautiful reminder.
You remain in my prayers always,
Sandy
You’re welcome Jean! I’m so glad it ministered to you
And thank you Sandy! Your ride sounds lovely
We used to take rides into the mountains in the fall and the apple stands were so pretty there. Your cross stitch sounds so cute. I enjoyed crosss stitching for years but my eyes just can’t handle it anymore. I”m planning on some fall cooking with apples though!
Blessings and prayers to you both,
Bronlynn
Bronlynn, I sooooo enjoyed your devotional today with one of my favourite verses! But there again I have lots of fave verses! LOL! This verse kept cropping up over & over again during August, when I really needed it. Had a tough day today & obviously needed to be reminded of it again! Thank You Lord, & thanks Bronlynn. Lotsoluv Kerryn
Hi Bronlynn,
I, too, went to an apple orchard a few weeks ago in Penn where we made the long trip to go to my 50th high school reunion. Now you all know I am older than dirt!! It was a struggle to even make the decision to go as someone very irresponsible hit the back of our tow (rv) car a few weeks before the time we had to leave and totaled our car. That’s after our rv was seriously damaged by a deer in your state last October when leaving Roanoke where we had volunteered at a campground. Took 8 months to fix, and now car is gone. I must sayI have not felt very blessed the last year with 2 accidents, another serious disease diagnosis, an unknown possible blood disorder , etc. You know how it is; the list goes on. The serious depression and not physically moving due to 2 shattered neck discs have taken a toll this year.
So, to hear I am always and still the apple of God’ eye has not been something I have thought of lately. I love apples too and always seek out the orchards wherever we happen to find ourselves in the fall. I brought them home from Va last year. The miracle was that we were even able to make it back many many miles to Fl in a very damaged rv was a miracle and I know that. There were 4 of us in that rv; God, me, my husband and our little guy, Brody. Also, I was not in the car when it was totaled; thank God, as my neck would have been hurt again badly as it was a 50 mile hit with the car and my dh going airborne.
I know am rambling, must need to vent, sorry, but I know how much I love apples and needed to hear that God considers me worthwhile to be the “apple of his eye”. Thw depression tends to make one feel unworthy and useless and to be reminded that I am not is so so inspiring. I grew up with apple orchards and they are so beautiful; I always feel good when I am on apple country. It has been a very difficult year and it has been really hard, to say the least, to know God’s plan in all of this suffering and troubles. But I do see His loving care and focus somehow thru all this in how he got us home last year when the rv should not have even been drivable and in that my husband was not hurt and that I was not in the car. I just have to have faith; I cannot let the enemy win ; I know God will make a way when there seems to be no way. That song is one of my very very favorites.
Thanks for listening and for your inspiring devotional, Bronlynn.
Patty
Patty, am lifting you to the Lord now. A tough time indeed. Very gentle hugs. Lotsoluv Kerryn