Gratefulness #4 – Magnify God
Looking through my binoculars does not increase the size of the distant mountains or trees or birds. They only make the objects I’m looking at appear larger. I see them more clearly. And my sense of awe increases.
In a similar way, the psalm writers invite us to “magnify” the Lord.
“Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together” (Psalm 34:3, NKJV).
“Let all those who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; let such as love your salvation say continually, ‘The LORD be magnified!’” (Psalm 40:16, NKJV).
When we magnify God, we don’t make God any larger than he already is. But we can make him larger in our hearts and minds.
Our view of God is often too small. In magnifying God, we enlarge our view of God. We see him more clearly. And our sense of awe increases.
For example, when I meditate on a Scripture passage that describes God’s creation, my thoughts about God are enlarged. When I meditate on Christ’s death and his atonement for my sins, or his resurrection, or his second coming, my thoughts about God are expanded.
The greater my understanding of God’s greatness, the greater I enlarge him. Expressing my worship and praise through my lips, I magnify him. I make God big.
After the angel appeared to Mary and told her that God himself would be born through her, Mary began to think bigger, higher, grander thoughts about God.
Mary burst forth in praise: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior” (Luke 1:46-47).
Her high praise is called the Magnificat from its opening words in the Latin translation. Mary magnified the Lord, not herself. She recounted the great things God had done.
“Oh, magnify the LORD with me!”
Thank God for his goodness. Thank God for delivering us from a prison of sin. Thank God for setting us free from guilt and shame. Thank God that we will be kept from the power of death.
Thank God for answered prayer. Thank God for others. Thank God for Jesus Christ. Thank God for the cross. Thank God for his provision. Thank God for his near presence.
Thank God in prayer, in praise, with music, with worship. Exalt God. Make his name great. Make God big.
~ Pastor Dave
