17th February 2022

The apple of His eye

Keep me as the apple of Your eye; Hide me under the shadow of Your wings…
Psalm 17:8 (NKJV)

Nearly five years ago we moved to a bungalow which has a small garden in which there is an apple tree. It brings fruit in its season. I have watched leaves drop off during winter, but as spring approaches, the new leaves cover all the branches and buds appear, and bloom into flowers, adding beauty to the garden.

In May and June the little tiny apples take form, and in July and August good sized apples appear with distinct colours – from green to shiny pink-red – after sunny weather. Unfortunately these are not sweet apples, and only good for making pickles. Birds come and peck at them and squirrels run up and down the branches and nibble at them. I, myself, love sweet crunchy gala apples from different countries; my preference is a South African gala.

Why have I taken time to write about apples? For a very good reason. Every time I look at the apple tree in my garden, it reminds me that we are the apple of God’s eye: a special people, as we read in 1 Peter 2:9: ‘But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people…who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light…’ And in the Old Testament we have a reference to Jacob as ‘the apple of His eye’: “For the Lord’s portion is His people; Jacob is the place of His inheritance… He found him in a desert land… He kept him as the apple of His eye.” (Deuteronomy 32:9-10). 

King David writes in Psalm 16:11: ‘You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.’ So have pleasure in eating the apple of your choice and remember, while savouring the sweet taste, that we are the apple of God’s eye and we are to God a sweet savour. We are His beloved children, saved by grace through faith. It is the gift of God and not of our own works.

Prayer
Abba Father in heaven, I give You thanks for choosing us from all over the world, of different tribes and nations, to be the apple of Your eye. I pray and praise You in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Study by Natu Moti

 

About the writer:
Natu Moti is a Deacon in the Birmingham congregation of Grace Communion International.

Local congregation:
Gracecom Birmingham
All Saints Church
George Road
Birmingham B23 7QB

Meeting time:
Saturday 1pm

Local congregational contact:
David Gibbs
Email: birmingham@gracecom.church

Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church