KEEP ME AS THE APPLE OF THY EYE

 

EVENING DEVOTIONS by James Smith

JANUARY 22
 
-Psalm 17:8
Keep me as the apple of thy eye,
hide me under the shadow of thy wings,

 

Through another day the Lord has shielded us, and we should to-night record his faithful love.

 

But while we record his past kindness, we should pray for protection for the future.

 

What a beautiful expressive, striking prayer this is!

 

Keep me, for thou art omnipotent, omniscient, and all-wise.

 

Keep me, for I am exposed to enemies and storms;

   I am in danger from various quarters;

      I am weak and inexperienced as the newly fledged bird;

          I fear I shall fall! I have no one on whom I can repose but thee.

 

Keep me as the apple of the eye, carefully—constantly—tenderly—graciously.

 

Keep me in Christ my head, watching, expecting, and enjoying thy presence and thy blessing.

 

Keep me, for I see many fall into sin, and I feel I am as liable as they.

 

Keep me, for such numbers decline, grow lukewarm, and leave the world under a cloud.

 

Keep me by night and by day; and may I realize thy preserving goodness, that I may with confidence say, “The Lord is my keeper; the Lord is my shade upon my right hand.

 

The Lord will preserve my coming in from this time forth.”

 
Jehovah, by his ceaseless care,
Whose eye can never sleep,
From earthly foes, from Satan’s snare,
My soul shall safely keep.
 

James Smith