Devotional Thoughts Based on the Glory to God Hymnal

Zechariah 2:8

For thus said the Lord of hosts (after his glory sent me) regarding the nations that plundered you: Truly, one who touches you touches the apple of my eye.

Have you ever been the apple of someone’s eye? Has someone ever been the apple of your eye? It is a great feeling if it lasts!

If you are the apple of someone’s eye? Has someone ever been the apple of your eye? It is a great feeling if it lasts!

If you are the apple of someone’s eye, then he or she is likely to be exceedingly generous with you. If you are the apple of someone’s eye, then he or she cherishes your good characteristics and may gloss over your faults. If you are the apple of someone’s eye, then that is a safe and comfortable place and you hope that relationship endures.

“I love thy Kingdom, Lord, The house of thine abode, The church our blest Redeemer saved With his own precious blood.

I love thy church, O God: Her walls before thee stand, Dear as the apple of thine eye, And graven on thy hand.

For her my tears shall fall, For her my prayers ascend; To her my cares and toils be giv’n, Till toils and cares hall end.

Beyond my highest joy, I prize her heav’nly ways, Her sweet communion, solemn vows, Her hymns of love and praise.

Jesus, thou Friend Divine, Our Saviour and our King, Thy hand from ev’ry snare and foe, Shall great deliv’rance bring.

Sure as thy truth shall last, To Zion shall be giv’n, The brightest glories earth can yield, And brighter bliss of heav’n”

We know that the nation Israel was in and out of God’s favor. God would be ready to turn them (as in the exile), but when Israel repented God welcomed them back. Israel was the apple of God’s eye. In Chapter 2, verse 8 of Zechariah, we find the allusion to the second stanza of I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord. The church is now the apple of God’s eye – even more so the church is graven on God’ hand – suggesting the pain that is incurred when the apple of one’s eye causes disappointment and heartache. Then too some pain comes as a consequence of great love.

Prayer

Dear God, we thank you that the church is the apple of your eye. Help us always to be deserving of that place in your affection: for Christ’s sake. Amen.