The Lord be Magnified!

 Do you say continually, "The Lord be magnified!"?  What if we asked if you love your salvation?  Would you answer differently?  Yet Psalm 40:16 states, "Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; Let such as love Your salvation say continually, 'The Lord be magnified!'"  The obvious point is that God is worthy of our continuous exalting and glorifying Him.  Clearly the Holy Spirit needs to show us how all things show His glory and empower us to boldly magnify Him for all He has done.  

Let's consider why the Lord Jesus willingly laid down His life and endured such torment and suffering that He was marred beyond recognition. (Isaiah 53) Through His blood being poured out all our sins we were washed clean.  We not only are "most blessed" to receive His forgiveness, but He also lifted us up with Him to be "a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people. (1 Peter 2:9)  Why has He bestowed on us such awesome favor?  The rest of the verse gives this answer, "that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."  We have been appointed to proclaim His praises.  Ephesians 1 also summarizes our purpose by declaring we have been destined to live for the praise of His glory.  We are His light.

Our ways and thoughts are so far from His ways and thoughts.  If we found a "deal" in the Black Friday sales, we would go all out to tell everyone around us.  Yet in coming into the salvation of Jesus Christ, receiving the greatest possible gift with everlasting greatness and joy, the hope of glory, Christ in us, it seems such a "little thing" that we are afraid or hesitant to tell anyone.

"Let me tell you 'bout my Jesus" is the line from a song by Anne Wilson.  The words continue, "He makes a way where there ain't no way, rises up from an empty grave, ain't no sinner He can't save, let me tell you 'bout my Jesus.  His love is strong and His grace is free, and the good news is that I know He can do for you what He has done for me.  Let me tell you 'bout my Jesus."  May the Holy Spirit put that kind of appreciation for what He has done in our lives and that kind of boldness to make it known to all. 

Here is my suggestion how to change this omission into action.  As we read the Word of God and get fresh revelation in the knowledge of Him, respond to the Holy Spirit with a simple, "Thank you.  Show me more."  The more we taste and see how good He is, the less we will be intimidated by our fears of what others may think.  As we forget not His benefits, our eyes and heart will be enlightened to see that He is the answer to every situation.  That kind of "know-so" heart confidence can't help but flow from our lips.

We are the salt of the earth that preserves life and makes everyone thirsty.  Therefore, God commands us who have freely received, to freely give.  Never think that a little "salt" of what God has done is too small to mention, but rather, because you love your salvation, say continually, "Let the Lord be magnified!"

 

Let

  Let.  This implies something that we do.  It is a participation of agreement to some action.  In Psalm 31, the word "let" precedes the desired end several times.  It is first addressed to God as a prayer for His participation.  For example, v.1 'Let me never be put to shame," and v.16  "Let Your face shine on Your servant."  In these verses we are inviting the Lord, actually agreeing with His Word and giving Him permission, to perform His desires.  What a marked contrast to the concept that we are waiting on God to move, rather than God is waiting on us to let Him do it.  

The dictionary definition of "let" is to allow, permit, give permission to, give leave to, choose to execute what is right or should be done.  In short, "let" requires your agreement and obedience to an order.  "Let" is the switch on the flashlight, God is the battery.  

The conclusion of Psalm 31 calls on us to choose an action God commands, "Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for and hope in the Lord."  Likewise, Jesus often directed His followers with commands like "Let your light shine among men."  In John 14, as He was explaining to His disciples that He was going to die and go to the Father, His instruction was "Let not your hearts be troubled."  A choice like this requires a deliberate focus on His truth and rejecting the natural thoughts and feelings that our fallen nature pumps into our consciousness.  

God is so good.  Surely goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our life.  His mercy is fresh every morning.  No good thing does He withhold from those who fear Him.  God makes all things work together for good for those who love Him and are called for His purpose.  There are so many of these promises which show His goodness and give us a future and a hope. We can focus on His goodness and mercy and "let" this truth flood our soul, or we can focus on the negative emotions that scream at us.  However, know that this decision is life or death; choose life.  It is up to us to take every thought captive to obey Christ.  The question is what thoughts and feelings will you allow to dwell in your mind.  No one can do this for you, you have free will and are king of your life. The choice is yours.  

Paul instructs the Colossians, "Let the peace of God rule in our hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.  Let the Word of Christ dwell in your richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."  In Philippians, he further states the necessity to refuse to be anxious by turning things over to the Lord in prayer with thanksgiving, so the peace of Christ can fill our hearts and minds. Then he shows us how to "change the channel" by deliberately thinking about what is lovely, pure, just, and worthy of praise.  We can allow Christ's peace to enter by obeying His simple command "think about these things."  

Clearly the gate keeper is our mind and heart.  Proverbs 23:7 reveals as a man thinks in his heart, so is he.  2 Corinthians 10:4 points out the divine weapons for the spiritual battle empower us to take every thought captive and put down every imagination that opposes Christ.  On the amazing positive side, the Spirit has reveals to us the mind of Christ and we are instructed to "let" this mind be in you, which leads us to know God's thoughts and ways.  We let His thoughts and ways dominate and replace our thoughts and ways.  God's way of rewarding us for choosing to keep His Word in your mind and heart, thus speaking His truth, is to lead us "always in triumph."  

Finally, Jesus said to those who would be His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.  Matthew 16:24  Therefore, we let Him and His life rule in us by laying down our selfish ways, thus letting His joy and peace be our strength.  God is waiting for us and calling to us to allow Him to live in us forever.  Let Him.   

Glory of God Will Be Seen

 Jesus told Mary, after the death of Lazarus, that if she believed she would see the glory of God. Therefore, in that same promise we can stand in faith that, yes, today we will see and experience the glory of the Lord. It pleases God to give us the kingdom.  We beheld His glory in receiving Jesus according to John 1:14.  Even though we live in the real world which always has tribulations, God is always with us and reminds us to focus on Him and His victory rather than let our hearts be troubled.  Psalm 17 graphically brings this truth to our attention with the last verse, 'As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in your likeness."  

What a powerful assurance that His presence will result in being satisfied. What could describe this condition better that these promises: my needs are all met, no good thing will He withhold, surely goodness and mercy will follow me today, in His presence is fullness of joy, and all things work together for good because I love Him and am called according to His purpose.

Moses consecrated Aaron with the instructions of what he needed to present to God and with the assurance that "Today the glory of the Lord will appear to you." in Leviticus 9.  In the New Testament, we are instructed to present ourselves as a living sacrifice and be renewed in our mind to prove or demonstrate God's good and perfect will.  We know the promise in Isaiah 60 that in the midst of darkness His light comes and "the glory of the Lord will be seen upon you."

So God created you and this day to show HIs glory to you.  He clearly desires to walk with you in His glory wherever you go and whatever you do.  The command is to consecrate yourself and this day to Him, believe His Word, and surely you will see the glory of God.  In His presence we are being changed from glory to glory.  

Believe the promise of God that today His glory will be seen upon you.