As much as we may feel the pain when we are hurt by others, we have the assurance that God really feels our pain.
Zechariah 2:8 (ESV) — 8 For thus said the Lord of hosts, after his glory sent me to the nations who plundered you, for he who touches you touches the apple of his eye:
Notice that last phrase that “he who touches you touches the apply of his, God’s eye.” Wow! Can you even begin to comprehend the magnitude of that statement? The phrase, “apple of my eye” is used to identify the special place of favor or affection. A preacher friend who was officiating the wedding for his daughter began the service after walking her down the aisle by saying, “Tammy, you’re the apple of my eye.” Indeed, she was and remains even today.
The apple of the eye is synonymous with the pupil of the eye so you can grasp that the apple of one’s eye has the center of focus. When God says that whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye, not only does it imply that his focus has been interrupted but also brings the thought that his eye is poked. Ouch! Obviously, these are word pictures to help us grasp the enormity of God’s focus upon us and His care for us.
In a similar way we are told that Jesus, our great high priest, is touched with the feeling of our infirmities.
Hebrews 4:15 (KJV) — 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Notice the entire passage in the ESV.
Hebrews 4:14–16 (ESV) — 14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
David referred to this special focus of God upon his life as he prayed that God would keep him as the apple of his eye and in turn hide him in the shadow of His wings.
Psalm 17:8 (ESV) — 8 Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings,
Just think of the expression, apple of His eye next time you are facing difficulty or facing a time of discouragement. Look into the mirror and notice the pupil of your eye and contemplate how God has the focus of His eye upon you. In fact, as the old song says, “His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me.”
Matthew 10:28–31 (ESV) — 28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
As we revel in the place of God’s focus known as the apple of His eye, we should also take note of how He tells us in the book of Proverbs to keep His word in focus ever before us as the apple of our eye.
Proverbs 7:2 (ESV) — 2 keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye;
Focus upon God’s word in reading, studying, memorizing, meditating, and applying is the chief way to honor Him.
Psalm 138:1–2 (ESV) — 1 I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise; 2 I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.
Honoring Him in such a dedicated focus is really the only way to love and obey Him.
Mark 12:29–30 (ESV) — 29 Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
That last verse emphasizes an all-in focus and this should be our only response to Him as He assures us that His focus, the apple of His eye, is you.
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker
