‘Whoever touches you, touches the apple of His eye’ (Zechariah 2:8)

How infinitely tender is the Lord God Almighty towards His people! They had just been visited with severe judgements; they were reduced to great straits; they appeared to be neglected by God; they were generally despised; they had only just escaped from the enemy’s land; and they returned with weeping and supplication, to their own country.

And now the Lord says, “Whoever touches you, touches the apple of His eye.” How wonderful are the ways of God! As the wise physician, He will touch to cure – but He will not allow others to touch to hurt. Like the tender mother, He can correct His children Himself – but He will not allow others to do so.

How close the union! How unique the affection! How tender the sympathy! How kind the care! How constant the attention! How safe and happy they are! Dear friends, take encouragement under all your persecutions and trials; be comforted in all your afflictions; you are as near and as dear to Jehovah as the apple of His eye; and you are hidden under the shadow of His wings.

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach the eternal throne,
And claim the crown, thro’ Christ, my own.

THE DAILY REMEMBRANCER by James Smith (1802-1862)

Journal Jottings

‘I have been speaking from Joshua 17:14. “Forasmuch as the Lord hath blessed me hitherto.” I have received the past, the Lord blessed me in Jesus before the foundation of the world. He blessed me when I was his foe, and he has blessed me ever since I was reconciled to him’.