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6 I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me, hear my words. 7

Wondrously show your steadfast love, O savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand. 8 Guard me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings. 9 from the wicked who despoil me, my deadly enemies who surround me.

 

This psalmist asks God to watch over and protect us from harm. Furthermore, the psalmist is looking for protection from enemies and wants to be considered the precious, “the apple of your eye”. We are precious in God’s sight and also in those who love and care for us.

 

How much more does God guard and protect us then our parents do? When I was five years old, I walked with my mother to the woods on our small farm in the spring. She took a wheelbarrow to bring back rich soil for her flower garden. Her flower garden gave us beautiful spring through fall flowers. That day I was playing in the pine shats while Mother was digging up some loam. She suddenly gave me a very stern command, “don’t move”. I stopped in my tracks, and she swiftly chopped off the head of a large copperhead ready to bite my ankle. The snake died instantly from the blow of the shovel. We quickly left the woods, and she checked to make sure I was ok. I guess I was the apple of her eye, the way she protected me against the snake. She saved me from a serious injury or complications for a small child from a venomous snake. How so much more does our Lord protect us when we are unaware of the dangers that lurk around us? There are dangers around us now and in the future. God will protect and guard us across our lifetimes no matter what the circumstances. How great is God’s love for us!

 

Let us pray-Dear Lord, Please watch over us and those we love. Let us listen to your commands through following and studying your Word. Amen.

 

Cindy Dougherty

beachspch@aol.com

 

Alternative readings-Deuteronomy 25:5-10, Acts:22:22-23:11

 

Prayer concern-Pray for those who need security in their homes, neighborhoods and around the world. May they experience the loving protection of the Lord.

 

The rest of the story-After the above incident, my father always went into the woods every spring to bring back good soil for my mother’s flower bed. I guess my mother and I were apples in his eyes.