The Limitless Love of God Week 4: Special Edition- You are the Apple of God’s Eye

Psalm 17:8, Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings. (NIV)

King David wrote Psalm 17 when he was under attack from wicked enemies.  The phrase “apple of your eye” is a Hebrew phrase and means “little man of the eye.” This refers to the tiny reflection ones sees of themself when he looks into the eyes of another.  

Have you ever talked to someone who would not make eye contact with you?  That used to be me.  I felt intimidated by others and embarrassed to let others see who I believed myself to be.  They say eyes are the window of the soul.  If that is true I definitely did not want anyone to view my soul by looking in my eyes.  I was afraid they would not like what they saw there.  I know I did not.  Thanks be to God for healing and freedom!!!!

I know that in business transactions you are supposed to look to the other person in the eye to prove you are trustworthy.  Making eye contact in some countries is also a sign of respect. But why does God make eye contact or look us in the eye?  I believe there are three reasons.  

God makes eye contact with us because he sees himself reflected there.  We are his image bearers, and he has called us to become like Christ.  When I look at my children I see parts of myself reflected in who they are.  I can also see Scott in each of them.  They are each unique in themselves, however, they are also a blend of both Scott and I that can be seen in their appearance, as well as their character/nature (the way they think, speak, and act).  

When God looks into our eyes he sees Jesus, his own perfect reflection!!!

God also makes eye contact with us because when we see ourselves through His eyes, we do not see all of our faults, short comings, brokenness, pain, regret, etc.  We simply see the beauty of his own glory that clothes us.  As believers we are carries of his glory (presence).  

In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve were covered in the glory of God, however, when they sinned, the glory left them and that is when they realized that they were no longer covered – they were naked and ashamed because the glory – the beauty of God had been removed.

When we come to God through salvation in Christ, he no longer sees anything but his glory clothing us.  Our sins, past, present, and future are all covered/removed by the shed blood of the Lamb!!  

Sin no longer has dominion over us.  Yes, we all still sin, however, God no longer holds that against us.  Our record is stamped “PAID IF FULL”! 

Now you might be thinking, “Melissa, when we sin, why then do we need to repent if it has all already been taken care of?”  Good question. The answer is two-fold.

First, when we sin, we open the door for the enemy to come in and bring shame, guilt, and condemnation.  If we allow these seeds to take root in our hearts, our natural reaction will be the same as Adam and Eve’s; to cover or hide ourselves from God.  We do this in a variety of ways. We may stop reading our Bible, stop praying, stop attending church, and/or stop fellowshipping with other believers and God.  

Secondly, sin opens the door for the enemy to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10).  In Deuteronomy 28 we find both a list of blessing for obedience (righteousness) and a list of curses for disobedience (unrighteousness).  

We know that Jesus came to redeem us from the curse, however, sin gives the enemy legal ground in our life because our sin gives him our authority in that area.  Think of it like an umbrella.  A life without unrepented sin is like a brand new or well-kept umbrella.  When used in the rain it keeps us dry because it has not holes.  On the other hand, a life with unrepented sin is like an umbrella with a hole or multiple holes in it.  If we use it in the rain we will get wet.  

When God created man, he gave him dominion over the earth.  He gave him authority to rule and reign.  When Adam sinned, he forfeited that authority to the devil.  

From that day until the resurrection of Christ, the enemy had dominion over the earth and its inhabitants.  He ruled with cruel tyranny and separated men from God.  

When Jesus went to hell after the crucifixion, he took that authority back as the Son of Man!  Thus, returning dominion and authority over the earth and its affairs back to mankind.  

From that day until the day the enemy is bound for eternity, the only power he has is what we give him.  Holding unrepented sin (unrighteousness) gives the enemy authority to that area of our life, and opens the door for him to hit us with sickness, disease, financial trouble, emotional issues, etc.

John 1:9 tells us that if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  

Our sin has already been paid for, but we must be cleansed from the stain of that unrighteousness (any thought, word, or action that goes against God’s moral standard and Truth).

Once we repent, the enemy no longer has legal right to interfere in our life.  Repentance returns our authority back to us, closing the door in the enemy’s face!  

Additionally, God makes eye contact with us because when He looks us in the eye, we see perfect love reflected there.  The enemy is a liar, and he wants us to fear looking at God, exposing ourselves to him, so he plants thoughts/feelings of doubt, insecurity, unworthiness, etc. in our minds because he knows that in the eyes of the Father, we will find perfect love.  1 John 4:18 tells us that perfect love will cast out all fear.  Fear is the enemy’s greatest weapon against Christians.  He knows that if we see the perfect love of God reflected in his eyes, we will lose our fear and his days of torture and torment in our lives is over!!!!  

I want to consider what Perfect Love looks like.  

Perfect love…

Casts out all fear!

Is freely given!

Is unreserved!

Brings peace!

Reveals God’s heart toward us!

Makes no demands on us!

Is given even when it is not returned!

Is patient!

Is kind!

Is humble!

Is selfless!

I short, Perfect Love looks like Jesus!!!

In closing, God makes eye contact with us because he sees himself reflected there, because when we see ourselves through His eyes, we do not see all of our faults, short comings, brokenness, pain, regret, etc., and because when He looks us in the eye, we see perfect love reflected there.