By Protus Seda
Psalms 17:8-9 NIV “Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings from the wicked, who are out to destroy me, from my mortal enemies who surround me.”
A Psalm of David; here David cries out to God for protection from the wicked men who surround him, from his enemies, tormentors- from those with “callous hearts “ (Ps. 8:10). Who “are like a lion hungry for prey, like a great lion crouching in cover” (Ps.17:12)
David calls on God to keep him like the apple of His eye. This is a beautiful imagery of everyone’s desire of God’s protection, to be protected just like how the body protects the eye and the pupil of the eye. We can imagine how our eyelids react almost involuntarily to protect the pupil of our eyes from threatening intrusion. It is intense. This is the kind of love and protection David is asking of God. An intense personal relationship with God that guards him from the callous hearts of those who want to pounce on him like a lion.
David asks God to hide him under the shadow of his wings; as a shield from the harsh desert sun heat; which metaphorically means protection from evil and oppressive tormentors who are after his life.
My brothers and sisters, I pray that this week God keeps you as the apple of his eye. We pray for God’s protection from your tormentors, from those very close family members and friends who surround but want to hurt you; I pray for the orphans and the widows and those who are vulnerable, for the Lord to keep them like the apple of his eye and look upon them with favor.
I pray that God hides us in the shadows of his wings, that no principalities of darkness shall attack us. That no sickness shall pounce on us like a crouched lion. May you dwell “in the shelter of the Most High” and find “rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” (Ps. 91:1 NIV). May the Lord God protect you and your family and all those whom you love this week and always. Amen.
