The Apple of My Eye

Introduction:
 The phrase, the Apple of my Eye, is usually figurative, meaning something, or more usually someone, cherished above others. As sight is so precious, someone who is called this as an endearment is similarly precious. The original Hebrew for this idiom was 'iyshown 'ayin (אישון עין), and can be literally translated as "Little Man of the Eye." This is a reference to the tiny reflection of yourself that you can see in other people's pupils.

I. God finds the Apple of His Eye and prepares him for greatness.
Deuteronomy 32:9-12 “For the LORD’S portion is His people; Jacob is the place of His inheritance. 10 “He found him in a desert land and in the wasteland, a howling wilderness; He encircled him, He instructed him, He kept him as the apple of His eye. 11 as an eagle stirs up its nest, Hovers over its young, Spreading out its wings, taking them up, Carrying them on its wings, 12 So the LORD alone led him, And there was no foreign god with him.”
A. People of faith are the people of God and the apple of His eye.
Romans 2:28-29 “For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; 29but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.”
B. The Apple of God’s Eye are a people of promise, not simply those who can claim fleshly birthright privileges.
Romans 9:6-8 “For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, 7nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, “In Isaac your seed shall be called.” 8That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed.”
C. God came looking for us and found us in a place far from where we were intended to dwell.
D. God’s instruction is primarily to teach us how to live in the kingdom.
E. Eagles stir up the nest in order that the eaglets will be forced out into the great beyond and, thus, learn how to fly.
F. Jesus Christ teaches His disciples how to walk in victory over all the forces arrayed against them.
Luke 9:1-6 “Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. 2He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 3And He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither staffs nor bag nor bread nor money; and do not have two tunics apiece. 4“Whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. 5And whoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” 6So they departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.”

II. The Apple of His Eye know that God will always be there to protect them.
Psalm 17:5-8 “I have called upon You, for You will hear me, O God; Incline Your ear to me, and hear my speech. 7 Show Your marvelous lovingkindness by Your right hand, O You who save those who trust in You from those who rise up against them. 8 Keep me as the apple of Your eye; Hide me under the shadow of Your wings,”
A. David prays that, as he has trusted God, God will not fail him in the moment of his trial.
B. God demonstrates His power, righteousness, and victory from His right hand.
Psalm 98:1 “Oh, sing to the LORD a new song! For He has done marvelous things; His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory.”
C. God has a desire to hide the Apple of His Eye under His very wings.
Psalm 91:1-6 “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” 3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. 4 He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. 5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, 6 Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.”

III. The Apple of His eye keeps the word of God as the Apple of his eye.
Proverbs 7:1-4 “My son, keep my words, And treasure my commands within you. 2 Keep my commands and live, and my law as the apple of your eye. 3 Bind them on your fingers; Write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” And call understanding your nearest kin,”
A. Keep the word of God as the Apple of your eye because just as the pupil of the eye is of such essential necessity to sight and can easily be injured, our spiritual vision can also be injured.
B. God’s Word has the power to direct us away from evil and toward that which is right.
C. The only way we get true wisdom and understanding of God’s plan for His Kingdom and Kingdom people is through the Word of God.
D. Illumination (Revelation) comes through the Word of God.
Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

IV. The Lord gives a song to the Apple of His Eye after delivering them from the enemy.
Zechariah 2:8-11 “For thus says the LORD of hosts: “He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye. 9For surely I will shake My hand against them, and they shall become spoil for their servants. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me. 10 “Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion! For behold, I am coming and I will dwell in your midst,” says the LORD. 11“Many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and they shall become My people. And I will dwell in your midst.”
A. Make the Lord your glory for after this, He shall avenge you of your enemy.
B. God is making His people to know that He is sending them as His instruments to bring deliverance to the captive.
John 14:12-14 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. 13And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.”
C. All of this attention is to make the Apple of God’s Eye the true worshippers He has called them to be.
D. We are free to become all God has purposed for the Apple of His Eye because He is in the midst of the church.
Hebrews 2:10-13 “For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12saying: ‘I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You.” 13And again: “I will put My trust in Him.”And again: “Here am I and the children whom God has given Me.”