(October 28, 2023) Robert McQuillan shares most sincerely…

Currently the eyes of the world are on the Middle East, especially Israel. There are fears that has happened, is happening, will spread involving several countries in war. Even nations endeavouring to support disadvantaged trapped victims with supply of badly needed food, water and medical supplies – or to fly people home – could become entrapped in whatever happens next.

The unfolding crisis has affected nations globally – for example here in Australia we’ve had protest rallies, a ‘significant contingent’ of troops and two aircraft being dispatched to the Middle East, increased fuel prices, cost of living threatened. In short, many people are looking for answers.

More importantly, souls everywhere need to discover Jesus, the coming king of peace and comfort who has all the answers, primarily salvation!

God can be trusted
Without sounding superspiritual, some weeks back I was reminded of David’s Psalm 122:6 that calls for prayer regarding Jerusalem… and I did so, including all Israel, in my general daily prayers. Now, like so many others, I too am deeply saddened by what has been happening in the Middle East.

In thinking about it all, I’m reminded of another scripture about Israel…

Decades ago we planted our first church and were so blessed as the Lord grew it. When a precious young girl from overseas who had committed her heart to Jesus mentioned she was going to her homeland to visit her family and didn’t know if she’d be returning to Australia, I asked her to share her testimony on Sunday.

What a blessing she was that morning! Smiling so brightly she shared that her faith meant she knew that she could trust God, even  in uncertain circumstances. Then, pausing, she quietly added that in her homeland, she would have to be so careful regarding sharing her faith as it would be very dangerous to talk about Jesus, that being a Christian could lead to death.

We were shocked… the smile was now absent from the girl’s lovely face and whereas we had been smiling with her and ‘amening’, we were now silent.

Then she smiled again and with an air of confidence quoted Psalm 17:8 – ‘Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.’ Ever so cheerfully she added, ‘Whatever happens, I know I’ll be all right because I am an apple of His eye!’ No longer quiet, we were clapping, so happy for her, comforted by her deep trust and confidence in God!

God is praiseworthy
The phrase – apple of one’s eye – goes back to the 16^th century, describing something or someone that one cherishes above all others.

Personally I’ve been blessed with my family of ‘apples’, especially now in my ‘senior years’ my delightful great-granddaughter Avaleigh Grace. They’re all still apples that I cherish, and for whom I’d do anything!

Sidetracking for a moment, here’s a current photo of Avaleigh, now two years, seven months – she’d been helping her daddy prepare the garden for new grass.

I have this picture on my study desk and when she visited the other day, I asked her, ‘Who’s that?’ Guess what she immediately said.

No, not ‘Avaleigh’ as she usually does when I show her photos of herself, but immediately responded: ‘A worker.’ Wow… how I cherish this little apple of my eye!

God has a watchful eye
‘The apple’ of anyone’s eye is the aperture centre ie the pupil, controlling the amount of light entering the eye. Very Well Health and such tell that this is a sympathetic, protective system giving us ‘fight or flight’ responses. Scared or feeling fear, our pupils dilate very large, thought to allow light in so our responses are quicker (ttps://www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-a-pupil-3421685). 

The young girl above declared that if a ‘fight or flight situation’ arose, her trust was wholly in God… she believed that her heavenly Father’s perfect eyesight was on her and He’d look after her!

There are several scriptures as well as Psalm 17:8 telling of God’s watchful eye –

• ‘He shielded him and cared for him; He guarded him as the apple of His eye’ (Deuteronomy 32:10). 
• ‘The eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him’ (2 Chronicles 16:9).
• ‘Does He not see my ways and count my every step?’ (Job 31:4).
• ‘The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch…’ (Proverbs 15:3).
• ‘For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous…’ (1 Peter 3:12).
• ‘Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him…’ (Hebrews 4:13).
• Jesus pointed out that the Father knows – sees – everything. ‘… your Father who sees in secret will reward you’ (Matthew 6:4).

Different Hebrew and Greek words are translated eye. In the Old Testament verses above, ‘eye’ is ‘ı̂yshôn – ‘the little man of the eye.’ With humans this is but a tiny aperture… but picture Almighty God’s powerful eyes that see everything! I like too those New Testament verses above that speak of God’s vast visionary eyes!

No wonder we call our Him the Omnipotent, Omniscient, and Omnipresent God! He is all-powerful, all-knowing, and present everywhere!

God as a firewall
The scripture I particularly draw your attention to is Zechariah 2:8, the verse that has a warning from ‘the Lord of hosts’ to any who dare besiege Jerusalem: ‘he who touches you touches the apple of His eye.’ 

When Christians think of Jerusalem, we usually think of all of Israel… and scriptures tell about God’s love for His nation of old (such as 1 Kings 10:9, ‘the Lord’s eternal love for Israel’).

Zechariah 2:5 particularly tells of the Lord Himself being a wall of fire around Jerusalem, protecting it and its people, expressing God’s love for this city. Verse 9 tells that He will raise His hand against those who have come against what is precious to Him – the apple of His eye!

I deliberately mentioned above the apples of my eye for whom I’d do anything because they are precious to me, the joy of my heart and I care about so much. Every day I pray for all these ‘apples’ and if needs arise I’m there to assist.

This leads me to wonder how God will respond to the prayers for those who are currently praying for peace in the Middle East at this time, especially for Israel, the apple of His eye. And I can but come to one conclusion – Christians should keep caring and praying for peace in that troubled region!

Over the past few years of dark and uncertain times Christians have been so fond of quoting ‘God’s still in charge.’ Well, He is! We of course must do our part – whatever that may be – believing for God to do whatever He has already planned. So regarding the Middle East let’s pray believing that God will move miraculously and peace will result not only for His beloved Israel but for neighbouring nations also… bringing amicableness and reconciliation.

And one thing above all – that Jewish people particularly will discover Jesus as Messiah and friend. Oh the peace that He offers – ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid’ (John 14:27). 

Little Avaleigh above saw herself as a worker along with her father… we followers of Jesus are supposed to be kingdom workers pleasing our heavenly Father. May our prayers and witnessing result in hearts no longer troubled… neither regarding the Middle East, our troubled world in general, about our family, or even ourselves!

May we not be fearful in any way. Know that you too are an apple of His eye.

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Dr Robert and Pr Maureen McQuillan’s links: OnlinerConnect@gmail.com and Facebook . November link: My People
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