How Big is He in Your Eyes?

How Big is He in your eyes? A call to my brother in-law one morning inspired this piece. I was trying to reach him to talk about plans for my sister’s upcoming birthday. He didn’t pick the call but it was the ringtone that caught my attention. A song I hadn’t heard in a while, a song whose lyrics I suddenly realised I had never really appreciated fully… Be Magnified

“I have made You too small in my eyes

O Lord, forgive me;

And I have believed in a lie

That You were unable to help me.

But now, O Lord, I see my wrong

Heal my heart and show Yourself strong;

And in my eyes and with my song

O Lord, be magnified

O Lord, be magnified.

 

CHORUS:

Be magnified, O Lord

You are highly exalted;

And there is nothing You can’t do

O Lord, my eyes are on You.

Be magnified,

O Lord, be magnified.

 

I have leaned on the wisdom of men

O Lord, forgive me;

And I have responded to them

Instead of Your light and Your mercy.

But now, O Lord, I see my wrong

Heal my heart and show Yourself strong;

And in my eyes with my song

O Lord, be magnified

O Lord, be magnified.”

My family was going through a battle and just when we thought it was over, we received some news that shook us. I had woken up that morning praying and claiming God’s promises but a few minutes before that call, I had so many negative thoughts running through my mind. Then I heard that ringtone “I have made you too small in my eyes, oh Lord, forgive me…” It seemed the Holy Spirit knew just what I needed that moment.

That song hit me like a truck! Why am I making my God, the Creator, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, too small in my eyes? Whose report was I going to believe? God’s report, or the report of man? (My sister and I had agreed that we would stand in faith and believe on God’s promises but here I was doubting) I suddenly remembered how the children of Israel in their flight from Egypt were caught between the Red Sea and Pharaoh’s army. It looked like that was the end, but what did Moses say to Israel? “ Fear ye not, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will show to you today: for the Egyptians who ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The Lord shall fight for you and you shall hold your peace.” Exodus 14:13-14

Those prophetic words came to pass when Pharaoh’s chariots and horsemen were swallowed up in the sea. At that moment I realised I was letting the enemy win over my mind. I was magnifying the problem and not magnifying my God. I was believing in a lie that He was not able to save me and mine. But as I meditated on the lyrics of this song, I felt a new surge of energy, a fresh burst of faith. Tears stung my eyes as I quietly worshipped; “Be magnified oh Lord, You are highly exalted and there is nothing you can’t do…”

Again in Exodus I am thrilled that God said; “And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I have gotten me honour upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen. Exodus 14:18

God had already shown wondrous signs in Egypt through the ten plagues He had brought on the Egyptians. Now Israel thought wow! Freedom at last! Promised Land here we come. Milk and honey? Bring it on! But then they turned and heard the pounding of hoofs and realised the enemy was after them.  They began to lament about the fact that they never even wanted to leave Egypt, they were better off slaves than carcasses in the desert. Why did God allow this to happen?

But God was in control. The enemy thought he had them trapped, it was a done deal; an unarmed bunch of slaves with no military training. This was not even going to be a battle; it would be an all-out slaughter party! But God was up to something. Though physically it looked like a lost cause, God was in control!

Unknown to Israel and more so to the Egyptians, God was setting the stage for a total wipe-out; a resounding victory, one that would be recounted for generations to come so that the Name of the Lord would be revered and His power acknowledged by all. (one that would encourage a soul like me in a different generation – totally awesome!)

Yes sometimes it looks like the battle is not going in our favour but often God is up to something bigger, better and greater than we imagined. We know that the journey to the Promised Land could have taken a shorter time but God took Israel on a route where their faith and commitment was tested. As children of God our Father often takes us on a route we don’t understand, a path we would rather avoid but a path that opens greater doors and leads us to  bigger victories.

God wanted an undeniable victory, a total deliverance; the Egyptians would not try to hunt them down again ever again. Israel was totally free of the shackles!

Remember David and Goliath? David knew that this battle was a set up for victory. He had so much confidence in His God. Perhaps David as a boy had been inspired by accounts of God’s faithfulness during the exodus of the Israelites. Perhaps this as well as the lion and bear experiences, made him so upbeat. While Saul and the Israelites trembled, David faced Goliath with complete faith and courage. Oh Lord help my unbelief!  To David this was an opportunity to show the Philistines the power and might of God.

What are you going through today?

How Big is your God in your eyes? Like David will you confidently face your giant and declare that” I will cut off your head and I will give your carcass to the birds of the air”? Or are you giving Goliath room to taunt you? Don’t believe in the lie dear friend. Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world! Believe in what God is saying, stand on His promises, you are more than a conqueror. Angels are assigned for your help. No weapon fashioned against you shall prevail. The Lord shall indeed fight for you, you need only be still! Those Egyptians you see today you will see no more! Look through eyes of faith and you will see the mountain fall at your feet! On the contrary if you look through your fears you will see only your problems magnified! Let Jesus be magnified in your life and circumstances today!

P.S. I actually wrote this post two years ago. God showed up in amazing ways in that season of our lives! It’s been a journey and we are praising Him all the way!