Can We Magnify the Lord?

2013/January by Marji Laine 6 Comments

So many songs use this word in praise of the Lord, but does this word have anything to do with praise? Webster’s defines it to increase in size; to enlarge it in fact or in appearance.

But then there is another definition: to extol, laud, and cause to be held in greater esteem or respect.

Boy we need a little (lot, huge amount) of that in America today, don’t we?

Oh Magnify the Lord with me.

It’s impossible to make God bigger than He already is. He is in all and over all and through all. (Eph 4:6) So how can I invite you to join me in magnifying Him?

You ever see that science experiment that folks do now with Mentos and carbonated soda? When I taught in public schools, we did it with baking soda and vinegar. That’s a mixture you can use to make lava in a volcano model as well. It just keeps building and building. I had a similar situation not too long ago. I took a Tums and then went to wash it down with a swig of Diet Pepsi. BAD IDEA! I had to grab a glass of water because my mouth kept filling with foam.

Goofy visual, I know. But the point is that magnifying the Lord needs to be like that foam – building up and spreading. One of my close colleges friends wore a tee shirt all the time (yeah, well what do you expect from a college guy?) that said “Enthusiasm is Contagious. Let’s start an Epidemic!” That’s what Magnifying the Lord should look like.

It starts with reality.

Funny place to start. Can’t help but look around at the circumstances of today and instantly feel a sharp point coming closer to my balloon. But that’s not the reality I’m talking about.

The reality that we need to start with is that Amazing Grace that we sing about. The chains of our hopelessness have been broken. The lies about how horrible we are have come under the exposing light of the Lord and found to be completely false. Instead, we are seen in Christ as new, perfect, and deeply adored.

Now that’s something to get excited about.

Then spread the germs.

Too many people Christians forget who they are in Christ. They look only at their own faults and the dreams that have died. They forget that they have a place in God’s plan and that He chooses them for a mighty purpose.

These folks need reminding. Just a nudge – not a sermonette. And I’m one of them. Can any of us claim that we don’t have days when we can’t see beyond our over-sized hips or extra-long nose? How often, when nipped at by yet another distraction, and so quickly after the LAST crisis, have allowed despair, despondency? “I hate this.” or “I hate my life.”

The prescription? Praise through pain. David showed this attitude throughout the Psalms. And then there’s this one – definitely in pain and trouble. “Though … Nevertheless, I will praise You.” Job 13:15

So magnify the Lord with me. Let us exalt His name together!  Let’s get excited about Jesus and what He’s doing in our lives!

Your turn: What is the Lord doing in your life this week?