ZECHARIAH 2:5-12 – “’And I will be to her a wall of fire all around, declares the Lord, and I will be the glory in her midst.’ Up! Up! Flee from the land of the north, declares the Lord. For I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heavens, declares the Lord. Up! Escape to Zion, you who dwell with the daughter of Babylon. For thus said the Lord of hosts, after his glory sent me to the nations who plundered you, for he who touches you touches the apple of his eye: “Behold, I will shake my hand over them, and they shall become plunder for those who served them. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me. Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion, for behold, I come and I will dwell in your midst, declares the Lord. And many nations shall join themselves to the Lord in that day, and shall be my people. And I will dwell in your midst, and you shall know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you. And the Lord will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land, and will again choose Jerusalem.””
THEME OF THE DAY: THE APPLE OF HIS EYE. Today’s word from the minor prophet Zechariah shouts loud rings of encouragement for the downcast traveler, strength for the weary pilgrim, and healing for the wounded solider of the Lord Jesus.
All the spiritual blessings in this section point to God’s heart and actions toward His people. It is not difficult to be overwhelmed with God’s love as He makes known His affection for them. He declares, “Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion, for behold, I come and I will dwell in your midst.” God promises to be ever so near His people and take up a dwelling place with them. He also proclaims His people will be His prized possession – “And many nations shall join themselves to the Lord in that day, and shall be my people.” What a glorious truth! God is not ashamed to stamp the word “MINE” upon our lives! But there is one more truth He makes known to us revealing His love – “He who touches you touches the apple of His eye”.
We are likely familiar with the phrase “the apple of my eye”. It appears in our Bibles, particularly the King James Version, and here is a little history – “you are the apple of my eye” originates from ancient times when the pupil of the eye was called the “apple” (or pupilla, “little girl/man”) because of its round shape and the reflection seen in it. It also symbolizes something precious, essential for sight, and needing utmost protection.
God sees us as “the apple of His eye” because of the Lord Jesus and that means we are extremely precious in His sight. So precious that He guards us with great care and protection knowing how tender and easily harmed we are. Now we may be tempted to think, “Me? The apple of God’s eye? I sin. I fail. I don’t always live up to His standards and desires. Apple of God’s eye? I feel too much like an irritant in His eye!” Those are lies of the devil. Believe what God says not what we feel or listen to outside of God’s Word.
We are the apple of His eye, and that will never change! Let such love move us to increase our desire for Him, and to walk in a manner bringing great pleasure to the One who declares, “You are the apple of My eye.”
PRAYER: Lord, thank You for taking undeserved and unearned delight in me.
REFLECTION: Let God’s delight in us fuel a deepening desire to delight in Him in our words and conduct.