The Apple of His Eye
1. You are a special treasure.
Deuteronomy 7:6 (NKJV) “For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth.
1.1. You are valuable to God.
1.2. The apple of His eye.
Psalms 17:6 I have called upon You, for You will hear me, O God; Incline Your ear to me, and hear my speech. 7 Show Your marvelous lovingkindness by Your right hand, O You who save those who trust in You From those who rise up against them. 8 Keep me as the apple of Your eye; Hide me under the shadow of Your wings,
1.2.1. Originally, the apple of one’s eye referred to the pupil of the human eye. It was believed that the pupil was a round, solid object. In a time without proper eye care, sight was a precious commodity. It wasn’t long before the apple of one’s eye became a metaphor for something precious.
1.3. When you know you are loved…
1.4. We are empowered by His favor.
1.5. Ela… you walk with more confidence.
2. You are fearfully and wonderfully made
Psalm 139: 1 O Lord, You have searched me and known me. 2 You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. 3 You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. 4 For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether. 5 You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it.
139:14 I will praise You for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
2.1. Made in the image of God.
2.2. Can you see just how special you are to God.
2.3. There is no second rate Children in the Kingdom of God.
2.3.1. Ela… Our Heavenly Father does not show favoritism over one child to another one.
2.4. We are hedged from behind and before.
2.4.1. Ela… a wall of protection…. to confine, secure to shut in, beseige to shut up, enclose
3. God keeps his covenant of love to those who love him.
Neh 1:5 Then I said: “O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands,
3.1. We preach about and sing about God’s covenant.
3.2. There seems to often be an emphasis on God’s legal obligations to us:
3.2.1. To save us
3.2.2. To heal us.
3.2.3. To bless us.
3.2.4. To prosper us.
3.3. And I believe in all of this, but: I just believe that it goes beyond a legal obligation. 3.4. God has a covenant of love with us
3.5. God’s covenant of love is why He blesses us, redeems us, prospers us and helps us.
Deut 7:6-9
4. He has promised to keep this covenant of love when we continue in this love relationship.
I King 8:23 and he said: “LORD God of Israel, there is no God in heaven above or on earth below like You, who keep Your covenant and mercy with Your servants who walk before You with all their hearts.
4.1. Many people walk away from the love relationship.
4.2. All that God asks is that we continue to love Him.
4.3. And He will keep His covenant of love.
4.4. GOD GIVES US THE crown of life just because we love Him
James 1:12 NIV Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
4.5. there is not a great deal of teaching on the crown of life in the scripture
4.6. We know that it is reward that we receive when we get to heaven.
4.7. this reward is given for those who love him
4.8. Buy it is as if we walk around with a crown upon this earth even before we get to heaven.
5. Our Heavenly Father loves you more than anyone else.
Genesis 37:3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colors.
Jn.13:23 Lying back on Jesus’ chest was one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved.
5.1. Think about it.
5.2. Jesus came to seek and save the lost.
5.3. Jesus then includes us in His plan.
5.4. We are empowered to fulfill His purposes.
5.5. Ela… To each one individually when Jesus pours out His love into our life it is like how could He possibly love anyone else as much as He loves me.
6. He is able too far exceed what we think he is able to do with our life.
Ephesians 3:17-21 (NKJV) 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
6.1. We don’t doubt His ability to do.
6.2. But we doubt our value in His eyes to do it for us.
6.3. A life trying to comprehend the love God has for each of us individually.
6.4. Once you begin to get into your heart how valuable you are to Jesus then you can begin to believe for God’s exceedingly abundant provision in our lives.
In Conclusion:
- Jesus loves you more than you know.
- You are more valuable to the Lord than you can comprehend.
- God’s plan for your life is better than you would have even planned for your life.