Keep my commands and live, And my law as the apple of your eye (Proverbs chapter 7 verse 2).
The apple of God’s eyes
The phrase, “The apple of my eyes” usually refers to a person of whom one is extremely fond of. Despite the term being used time and time again by persons intimately in love, God, in Proverbs chapter 7 verse 2 referred to us keeping His precepts (His Word) as the apple of our eyes. This verse is indicating to us just how much the Lord desires for His word to be valued. You know: quite cherished, treasured, preciously kept, held in high regards, honoured with the highest esteem.
The apples of our eyes
There are many things, people, activities and places in our lives that we hold dear to us and that no one can separate us from. That’s because we have reasonably held such people and things as the apple of our eyes by keeping them dear to us. I am pretty sure that we can think of quite a few persons or things that fall into this category.
Can you name some?
The apples of the pandemic’s eyes
During the 2020 pandemic caused by the Corona Virus, some of the prized possessions of citizens worldwide were: masks, the Lysol Disinfectant Spray, hand sanitizers andjust about any type of cleaning agent available as well as reasonable social distancing. At the time, these items were like the apple of the people’s eyes (for many persons). Having these items close all the time and being overly thankful for their availability and accessibility gave most persons a strong sense of security against some of the dangers threatened by the unseen yet very real virus. Whilst many persons misused, abused and didn’t use any of these items, there were others who ensured that they kept these possessions close to them and made proper use of them as was recommended by the health authorities.
It was recommended and believed that by doing the latter (using the items and agents properly), it would or could reduce or eliminate one’s chance of becoming infected with the deadly virus. Those who kept the instructions as the apple of their eyes, benefited greatly; they were less likely to be infected by the virus and less likely to die from it.
The apple’s attributes
When the instruction of the scripture came to us saying: “Keep My commandments and live and My law as the apple of your eye”, I believe the benefits intended would have been no different. That is, if we obey what God’s word encourages, He assures us that we will live! We will not be infected by the virus of sin and shame and the distress of the world:
1. If we are careful to ensure we have God’s Word cleaning our hearts, emotions and actions like the Lysol and cleaning agents would clean our air…
2. If we are careful to cover our wills and desires with His plans and preferences for our lives like we would cover our nostrils and mouths with our masks…
3. If we are careful to keep God’s standards, expectations and promises close to us and apply them to everything we touch (decisions, thoughts, operations) like we would with our alcohol and sanitizers…
4. If we would stay spiritually distant from the people, places and things that cause us to sin against God like we would stay physically distant from potentially ill persons…
…then the Word of God says we will live.
We will escape the sickness in our emotions, we will escape the complications in our minds and bodies and certainly, we will escape the ultimate death of our spirits all because of sin. The Word of God reveals the heart of God. The heart of God reveals the paths of God for us. The path of God directs us to light, purpose and life! When we treat His Word like a treasure, we will live and access all the beauties that living brings.
Let us pray:
Lord,
We repent…we repent for the times we have not honoured Your word in the manner You instructed and desired. We repent for the times we have honoured the laws of man even above Your own. We ask Lord that You will forgive us and sensitize our understanding of how valuable Your precepts are to us and help us to make the conscious decisions to not just keep Your word physically close to us but also close to our hearts. May we keep them treasured as the apple of our eyes so that we will live, AMEN
Melicha J. Smith originates and resides in Jamaica, West Indies. She has been involved in youth ministries for over 13 years and has served in the capacities of teacher, mentor, intercessor and missionary. Professionally she functions as a Registered Pharmacist.
Melicha enjoys and invests most of her time in writing, reading and listening to music. She loves a good game of football even though she understands VERY LITTLE about the game.
Melicha Smith is an author, speaker and founder of Reflective Hands Ministry.
Follow her on Instagram: @reflectivehandsja