Psalm 17:8

Psalm 17:8

Psalm 17:8 “Keep me as the apple of your eye;”
 
[This, Lord God, is how you view each of your children: special, unique, wonderful and dearly loved. By you we are delighted in, doted on and deeply cared for. You chose us, you cleansed us from our sin and guilt, you called us into your arms, you claimed us as your children, you commissioned us to special service and you cherish us wholeheartedly with joy.
 
Jesus made an amazing statement in John 15:9, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.” This is an astounding, worldview-shifting announcement. If we grasp this in ongoing depth, it will change our whole lives, resulting in us “being filled to the measure of all the fullness of God” (Eph. 3:16-19).
 
And how does God the Father love Jesus the Son?
He loves Him Eternally, especially and enthusiastically,
wholeheartedly, wonderfully and willingly
without reservation, without interruption,
without any doubts, without remorse,
joyfully, jubilantly and justly,
positively, purposefully and powerfully,
constantly, creatively and consistently,
warmly, wonderfully, wildly,
fully, forcefully and forever.
 
Most foundationally, the Father loves the Son because God IS love; He never cannot love. His love is “agape,” that is, it does not depend on the response of the loved one. Whatever we may do, God’s love will not stop flowing to us.
 
Now, here’s the point: as the Father loves the Son, so Jesus loves us!!! This is an astounding, beautiful, transforming and wonderful truth, too good to be true–and yet it is true for all believers, because Jesus has purchased us and given us His righteousness, His guiltless record and His holiness. Read that list above again, beginning with, “God loves me……”
 
As John exulted in 1 John 3:1, “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”
 
So, we don’t have to try and live off the love others give us; instead we can live out of the Love God gives us, being confident in His acceptance, forgiveness and liking us! Then we can love, forgive and like ourselves! We can rest in His love, abide in His love and revel in His love because it is secure, eternal and wholehearted. It is not based on us but upon His unchanging, all powerful nature. We ARE the apple of His eye!]
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