“Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,” Psalm 17:8.

The Bible describes David as a man after God’s heart. He loved the Lord, trusted His faithfulness, meditated on His Word, and remained steadfast in prayer. In Psalm 17:8, David asks God for protection from his enemies: “Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings.”

David prayed for God to view him as the apple of the eye; that which is most precious, tender, and needed to be protected; one that God places a fence around and preserves with His utmost care; just as an eagle who tends to her young, covering them beneath the safety of her wings, guarding them from visible and invisible enemies.

Amid today’s challenges and uncertainties, let us hasten to the throne of grace and pray as David prayed to be covered beneath God’s wings of unconditional love. He is our Jehovah-Nissi, the Lord is My Banner, He is the One who provides spiritual and physical victory in every way!

In the book of Genesis, chapter 22, Abraham, in obedience, took his only son, Isaac, up the mountain and prepared him as a burnt offering before God; “And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you. And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together.” Genesis 22:5-6.

Abraham’s faith rested in the One who gave Isaac to him and Sarah at an age when it was impossible to bear children.  He trusted that the same power and faithfulness of God would send him and Isaac back down that mountain.  Past experiences had taught him that there was absolutely nothing impossible with God. My friends, God had a ram tied in the bush! 

“And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. And Abraham lifted his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.” Genesis 22: 10-13.

We serve a mighty God. He is the same God today that delivered His faithful servants centuries ago, and He will provide, deliver, and cover us beneath His wings of love today! Psalm 91:4-6 lovingly reminds us that “He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.”

Let us walk in the peace of knowing that the safest place to be is in the arms of Jesus…faith in Him dominates all our fears!

May God bless us all with peace, favor, and protection.