THE APPLE OF GOD’S EYE
Before we unpack this psalm that contains the beautiful phrase, “Keep me as the apple of your eye,” I want to encourage you with one massive, strong, and unbeatable principle: Be a man or woman who carries the presence of God.
You may have enemies, challenges, and adversaries, but you can find safety if you choose to hide under His presence.
Recently, I saw a clip of Gohan and Goku fighting against their enemies. I’m not sure if any of you grew up watching Dragon Ball Z. It was one of the few cartoons that my brother and I watched together from beginning to end while we were in school. It was awesome.
I’m not promoting Dragon Ball Z, but in the clip, I saw, Gohan is now grown up and fighting against a powerful enemy. He seems fearful and intimidated by the situation. Then he hears his father, Goku, encouraging him, reminding him that he has done it before and can do it again, just as he defeated Cell. Goku tells him to stir up his emotions and fight with that emotional force.
Now, that is a cartoon series, so we’ll leave it there.
But I want to encourage you with a greater truth. We do not fight with emotions, nor do we fight based on who we know or do not know. We fight our adversaries and enemies through the presence of God.
None of us is immune from the attacks of the enemy. If you desire protection and victory over your adversaries, learn to hide in the presence of God. This is where victory happens. This is where transformation happens. This is where we discern what God wants us to do.
No, I am not saying that we are a battalion of the Roman Empire. We are the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the gates of hell, along with every adversary that seeks to prosper against us and destroy us, will not prevail.
HEARD BY GOD
I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words. Psalms 17:6
Use the principle of prayer when you face the heat, when you encounter oppression from the enemy. Name: sickness, bullying, gossip, slander, manipulative conversations, demonic attacks, violence, or any other adversary. Whatever your enemy may be, you can fight back through the presence of God.
One of the most powerful ways to ignite and cultivate the presence of God is through intercession. We defeat our giants through prayer, not through networks. Networks have their place; they help expand the work of the Kingdom, and there are times when we come together and enjoy fellowship. But it is through the power of intercession that we overcome the giant standing before us.
The psalmist, in the infallible, inerrant, authoritative, and divine Word of God, declares in Psalm 17:6 (ESV):
“I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words.” 17:6
Prayer is the answer to your adversaries. No wonder the psalmist is confessing, “I am heard by God.”
Brief Context: David is surrounded by rude, arrogant, evil, and violent people who are full of hate. You could describe them as having toxic behavior, and they are using every means possible to oppress him and seek his destruction. But David has a strategy, he is hiding under the presence of God. It is not easy to simply eliminate him or his purpose, because he carries a national calling to lead the nation of Israel. God has David’s back.
LOVED BY GOD
“Wondrously show your steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand.” 17:7
Now why would God defend David?
Well, the answer is found in the attributes of God.
God is Love
He is also the covenant- keeping God. The Davidic Covenant had to come to pass. But here’s the important truth about all the covenants that God has ever made; they all point to one thing,
God’s love for His people, for those who seek Him and love Him.
That’s what David is saying here in verse 7: “Wondrously show your steadfast love.” David knows that God will show His love, and that God’s right hand will save him. That is the power of God, unbeatable, unmatched, uncontested, and unconquerable.
HIDDEN BY GOD
“Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.” 17:8
In the next verse 8 we see David pointing out by saying a beautiful truth about God’s protection for the precious King David. The author is using a literal language of “the little man of eye” (380 ishon). Pupil that is a sensitive part of the body. In our simple human language, God is there to protect his special people from their adversary.
In Psalms 11:1 ESV we read: “In the Lord I take refuge; how can you say to my soul, ‘Flee like a bird to your mountain’?”
Then he further uses a bird-like image: “Hide me under the shadow of your wings.” This is a symbol of intimate, very close refuge in the presence of God. We all need this, not just when things get messy, but this should become our lifestyle, a pattern for the rest of our lives. It is a place where we are not only secured, but also a place from which we grow in wisdom, influence, courage, spiritual intelligence, and purposeful living, untouched by our enemies.
God is the defender.
Do not fight your adversaries by yourself. Let God take care of it.
A Word of Caution: While you are praying for deliverance from your adversaries, make sure you are not becoming an adversary to someone else.
Application: Our posture in responding to adversaries should be like David’s. Satisfied in God’s presence and righteousness.
Psalms 17:15 ESV
“As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.”
