Apple of His Eye

But the LORD’s portion is his people, Jacob his allotted heritage. “He found him in a desert land, and in the howling waste of the wilderness; he encircled him, he cared for him, he kept him as the apple of his eye. –Deuteronomy 32:9-10
……. 
What does God most delight in after himself? What brings him more pleasure than all the beauty of the forests and mountains and waterfalls and fields? What does he care about more than all the art in all the museums, All the books that have ever been written, All the technology and accomplishments of mankind?
His people.
Weak and frail as we are, Full of foibles Doubts and fears We are his portion. His heritage. His special delight.
He encircles us, cares for us, Keeps us as the apple of his eye. Yes, really We are the apple of his eye. That thing which most delights him.
His bride. His beloved. His objects of mercy. His chosen race, His royal priesthood, The people for his own possession, The ones he loved with an everlasting love. The ones he is transforming To look like Jesus Act like Jesus Talk like Jesus And display Jesus to the world.
Is this how you see your church?
Is your church the apple of your eye?
HT: Mark Altrogge