Psalm 17:7-8 - Protecting Apples

The first movie I ever saw in a theater was "The Hiding Place" about how Corrie Ten Boom and her family ended up in concentration camps for hiding Jews from the Nazis who invaded the Netherlands.

In a memorable scene, her elderly father assesses the Nazis, "They've touched the apple of God's eye." He was referencing an obscure prophecy about the Jews who were deported away from their homeland: "He who touches you, touches the apple of God's eye." (Zechariah 2:8, New American Standard Bible 1995) 

The "apple of the eye" is a descriptive phrase for the pupil of the eye. Something that is valued above all else. If something is about to poke your eye out, you instinctively protect it with your hand, even if your hand is seriously injured in the process. Your eye is more valuable.

Twice, I've had a chalazion (~stye) removed from my eyelid. I don't know what was worse: Seeing a hypodermic needle approaching my eye with lidocaine, or watching the scalpel that followed. I can't recall if the doctor first braced my head. Probably. Try watching your own eye surgery without flinching! {I can't blame Dante. Even a shaggy-eyebrowed dog would rather have scissors near his tongue than the apple of his eye.}

Now that verse is more poignant: "He who touches you, touches the apple of God's eye."
That's how God views ALL of His children.

Once when David was surrounded by deadly enemies who "close their hearts to pity; with their mouths they speak arrogantly," he cried out to God. If you ever feel vulnerable and exposed, insignificant and not valued, pray this along with David:

"Wondrously show your steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand. Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings..."
(Psalm 17:7–8, English Standard Version)