The apple of His eye

Zechariah 2:8

For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.

Zechariah the prophet speaks, obviously, to the people of Israel. He is prophesying to the people of God that had been carried away captive to Babylon. He gave them good and comfortable words that He would restore them back to their land, the holy land. They had been judged for their sin, but now would God turn on the nations who judged them, and their servants would rule over them. Why would God judge the nation of Babylon and all other nations that became a scourge and an affliction to Israel? Because Israel was the apple of God’s eye. The apple of His eye! The most important people to Him! Those who brought the most joy to the Lord—the greatest and highest and most precious treasure to Him. And is this not true of all the people of God? Do not Hosea, and Jeremiah, and Paul, and Peter all tell us in unanimity that we are the people of God? Those who were not the people of God are now the people of God. We are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a peculiar people. Are we not the people of God? There can be no doubt in the whole wide world that we are the chosen people of God.

Think about it! The people of God! The apple of His eye! We are special, and precious, and a tender treasure to Him. He that touches us touches the apple of His eye. He will punish those who vindictively touch His people. He will deal accordingly with those that will persecute and mistreat those that are so precious to Him. For they are the apple of His eye. How wonderful and precious this is! It is only by His mercy and grace that He loves us so. Let us not forget who we are to the Lord, and what we mean to Him. How precious also are His thoughts unto us, and how great is the sum of them! They are more in number than the sand! Worry not of the things of this life, and be not disconcerted and despondent over any enemy that may assail. For we are in His most sweet and tender care. We are the very apple of His eye. Remember this today, and forget not your importance to Him. And, dear one, may Christ always and only be the apple of your eye. We love Him because He first loved us. If we are that important to Him, ought He not to be so to us? The apple of His eye! The apple of our eye!

“Dear Lord, how we praise you for the great and magnificent and infinite love you have for us. Behold, what manner of love! We are the apple of your eye. May this never be forgotten. May you be as important to us as we are to you. And we thank you that you bestow such beautiful and wonderful and amazing love on us sinful souls. We rejoice in this love and care, and will revel in it this day. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.”