Psalm 17:8

New International Version

Keep me as the apple of your eye;
    hide me in the shadow of your wings.

For Your Encouragement

As Joseph was to Jacob, so I pray you will be to God this morning.

Jacob loved Joseph, the son of his beloved wife Rachel, more than any of his other sons (Genesis 37:3). He waited for this firstborn of Rachel for days on end, and finally, in his old age, Joseph was born (30:22-27). What a day that was! What a delight to Jacob’s heart. Finally, God had visited his beloved and given him a son to brighten his days on earth.

But now, his beloved wife was no more – a victim of a heart that would not detach from the gods of her father’s house—Rachel died while giving birth to her second son, Benjamin (31:34; 35:18). Who then could tear Joseph from the love of his father? To celebrate this extraordinary love for Joseph, Jacob made an ornate robe for him – a coat of many colors (37:3).

The other children hated Joseph for this preferential treatment, but how could he help it? He did not ask for it. He did not work for it either, and of course, Joseph could not pay for his father’s love. Jacob freely showered it on him. It was all grace.

That’s it for you and me, my friend – we who have received salvation from the Lord Jesus Christ. Our heavenly Father loves us so much that He has made a special covering of righteousness to adorn our lives—the garment of righteousness of His Son, Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 1;30; Zechariah 3:4). The world may hate us for it, but we cannot help it. Though we did not deserve His love, God showered it on us (Romans 5:8). There was nothing we could have done to warrant it, and no work of ours could buy His love. It is all grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). How amazing it sounds!

Now you are the apple of God’s eye (Psalm 17:8), and nothing can separate you from His love—nothing! Not “trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword” (Romans 8:35).

The point we don’t have to miss about Joseph is that he honored his father’s love by living close to him enough to know the God of Abraham, Isaac, and, of course, Jacob—and he lived. The rest of his story flows from here.

So, as you celebrate the love of God for you through Christ Jesus, determine in your heart to honor that love by your distinguished life in Him, wearing His garment of righteousness with reverence and awe.

As for the hatred of the world and all satanic forces contending against you, do not worry. God will hide you under His mighty wings (Psalm 91:1-4).

Enjoy all His goodness and love; and may grace carry you with the joy of the Lord filling your heart. Amen.