Is God the Love of My Life?

“Keep me as the apple of your eye.” Psalm 17:8

When I was a kid, I would picture the phrase, “the apple of your eye” as someone with literally a miniature apple in place of their real eye! The apple of your eye is an old phrase meaning something precious and valuable, something cherished above all others and closely guarded.

Psalm 17:8 is a prayer to God that petitions, “Keep me as the apple of your eye.” In other words, keep me as the light of your life. Your pride and joy. The beat of your heart. The center of your world. Keep me as your treasure.

This phrase was also a part of The Song of Moses in Deuteronomy 32:10:

He cared for him, he kept him as the apple of his eye.

I must stop and consider if my own friendship with God is so deep and affectionate that I could ask this personal and intimate request. Is He the love of my life that I can boldly ask Him, “God, keep me as the apple of your eye”?

Sometimes in my past, I have pictured God as aloof or mean. Satan loves nothing better for us to think lies such as, “God is not good to me” or “God is indifferent to me.”

Here’s more lies that Satan often uses:

"You're being ridiculous. God doesn't care."

“My past sin and mistakes make me useless to God.”

“My shame makes my testimony ineffective.”

“God is grudgingly giving me my salvation.”

I must not trade the truth for a lie; Jesus said that Satan is the Father of Lies (John 8:44). God wants to be my friend and communicate every day. Instead of listening to my doubts and vulnerable feelings that come from Satan’s lies, I must every day go to the foundation of truth in my life, the Bible, to remind me of God's care and loving kindness. Here are just a few truth bombs for encouragement!

God compassionately remembers that I am fragile.

As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. Psalm 103:13-14

God is interested in my every day ordinary life.

You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. Psalm 139:2-4

God’s love and mercy is extended to my grandchildren.

The steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments. Psalm 103:17-18

God gives me every spiritual resource I need for spiritual success.

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature. 2 Peter 1:3-4

God delights in my well-being.

Let those who delight in my righteousness  shout for joy and be glad and say evermore, “Great is the Lord, who delights in the welfare of his servant!” Psalm 35:27

God has pity on my suffering; my tears will not be wasted.

You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Psalm 56:8

God is patient with me. He patiently waits for my repentance and my complete devotion.

The Lord is … patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

God lavished His love on me by adopting me.

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 1 John 3:1

God saves my prayers because they are meaningful to Him.

Revelation 5:8 mentions the golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

Oh how much he loves all of us! Are we not the apple of his eye?

But as any healthy relationship goes, it’s two-way. Is God the apple of my eye? Do I think about Him constantly, consider what He would have me do? Do I talk to Him, listen to Him, worship Him? Do I delight in His well-being? Is He truly the love of my life?

My response to God, every day, can be nothing less than complete devotion and faithfulness. He draws me to Him so that I must sit in his presence every day. Psalm 42:1-2 is what my own heart cries:

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?

Lord, keep me the apple of your eye. You certainly are my treasure and my joy.

Further reading: Psalm 103