The Apple of Your Eye

Show your marvelous loving-kindness, you who save those who take refuge by your right hand from their enemies.
Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me under the shadow of your wings.

—Ps. 17:7-8

I don't think there's a more confusing idiom in the English Bible than the one usually found in Psalm 17:8. Its not found in all English translations, but most of them have the psalmist praying that God would guard them as the apple of God's eye. Since an apple is a sweet piece of fruit, I have always assumed this was simply a term of endearment, and I've heard it used that way many

Prayer for Uncertain Times

This prayer is from the United Reformed Church (United Kingdom)

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 

—Ps. 46:1

As so much is re-shaped by Coronavirus Covid 19,
let us pray with...

people left unwell, beckoned by death, or bereaved;
people providing professional health care and advice,
looking after loved ones at home
or working to create treatments and cures;
people shaping the response of nations and neighborhoods,

As for What Others Do

As for what others do, by the word of your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent.

My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped.  

—Psalm 17:4-5

The psalmist doesn't see the crowd mentality as an excuse. Having integrity means acting according to my own moral compass. Living in a violent society does not mean I have to live by violence. Just because everyone around me is armed to the teeth does not dictate that I need to keep weapons at hand. God's steadfast love is a better defense than a handgun. What's the point of

It Is Enough

You will show me the path of life. In your presence is fullness of joy. In your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.

✙ Ps. 16:11 ✙

To be human, alas, is to want stuff. Very often, the things I want and the things I need get mixed up in my head. And when that happens (which is most of the time), it does a number on my perception of God. If God satisfies my hunger, then the things I hunger for quickly become associated with God—or, worse yet, they become my gods.

Speaking about John 6:35—I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will not