You tough enough?

Psalm 17:8, "Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me inthe shadow of Your wings."

Dr. Constable tells us that the "apple of the eye" is the pupil.  David's request was that God keep him in the center of His vision and not let him out of His sight.  God's wings, Dr. Constable continues, are the spreadings (manifestations) of His love and His taking us under His wing shows intimate fellowship with Him while hiding in the shadows of His wings offers us rest and security.  

They are such beautiful images and such a sweet request.  I mean David was "big tough guy" in the eyes of so many.  He slew Goliath.  He conquered armies.  But in the heart of this warrior was a tender request, keep me in Your vision, protect me and give me rest.  He knew where his source of strength came from.  He wasn't puffed up that any of his righteousness and prowess was from his own power...it was from God; and man, he just wanted to be able to rest there and linger in that fellowship.  Often described as "a man after God's own heart", it is a pretty cool insight that God too wants this...He wants us to keep Him as the center of our vision, to never lose sight of Him.  The ALMIGHTY wants us to have intimate fellowship with Him and come rest in Him.  The perfect Father wants us to siddle up to Him, wrap His arm around us and let our hearts be soaked in that comfort of unconditional love so that we can go out into the world and be strong.