“THE APPLE OF YOUR EYE” BIBLE STUDY JANUARY 5, 2024

PSALM 17

3. You have proved my heart; You have visited me in the night; You have tried me and find nothing – no evil purpose in me; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress. Amp.

We see in this verse that the trials are not only to build our faith and give us resources we need. But the Lord tries us to see how we will react. Many times, people fail receiving what the Lord has for them because of this verse. They fail the test not wanting God’s will for them.

What can He do? He will not force His way. He will bring the trial that many times is pushed aside and to find other options. The Lord’s plan is always one of goodness and beauty. It usually is not what we can see with our eyes. He has many tests that we must pass before the blessings come.

We may be like Job. He did not really pass with flying colors. He never turned away from the Lord, but he did complain. But the Lord was so merciful and showed him his heart in the midst of his pain and he loathed his words. He knew that he had rashly uttered what he did not understand. And that seems to be what we all do when we are in painful circumstances.

The Lord is so patient and merciful to us when we are hurting. If we just slow down and talk things over with the Lord, He will reveal things to us that we could never see on our own. He will reveal Himself the way He did to Job and then we can say:

“I had heard of You only by the hearing of the ear; but now my spiritual eye sees You.” Job 42:5.

Our trials should bring us to this place more and more. Then we can be set free and restored as Job was. The Lord accepted his prayer and gave him twice as much as he had before. Then we can ask Him to keep and guard us as the apple of the eye and hide us in the shadow of His wings. Psalm 17:8

And why does the Lord want us to endure such hard times? So, we can have Psalm 17:15. He wants to bless us with Himself!

Psalm 17:15 As for me, I will continue beholding Your face in righteousness – rightness, justice and right standing with You; I shall be fully satisfied, when I awake to find myself beholding Your form and having sweet communion with You. Amp.