Where is the Magnifying Glass Pointed?

Sherlock Holmes, the great detective of the 19th century was known for the unique cap on his head and the magnifying glass in his hand. It was with this magnifying glass that he searched for and discovered the clues that always led him to solve the mysterious crime. Amid the chaos of every crime scene, this skillful detective would point that magnifying glass in just the right way to cut through the unimportant clutter and find that essential information that lead to the truth.
Each of our minds and hearts has a magnifying glass. We choose where we place our focus as we encounter daily life. Where that magnifying glass is pointed is determined by us. And where that magnifying glass is pointed will make all the difference in how we perceive both our God and the world around us.

The Word of God tells us that we are to magnify the Lord. “O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.” (Psalm 34:3 AMP) When we have placed the magnification of our vision on God, everything else appears as it truly is. When we look to the Lord and see Him as He truly is, we will find the troubles of this world pale by comparison. The key is to follow these directions of Jesus. “But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.” (Matthew 6:33 AMP)

The enemy of our souls will always attempt to magnify the trials and problems in our lives, causing out hearts to fear. Difficult circumstances desperately attempt to draw our focus away from our Creator and onto the crisis of the moment. But our enemy is a liar and he magnifies distorted images. “…He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a falsehood, he speaks what is natural to him, for he is a liar [himself] and the father of lies and of all that is false.” (John 8:44b AMP)

We cannot continue to focus on the negative if we desire to be overcomers in this life. Everything that looks impossible has been magnified by our erroneous perceptions. When circumstances appear to be impossible we must remember that the angel told Mary, “For with God nothing is ever impossible and no word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment.” (Luke 1:37 AMP) Later the disciples questioned the possibility of entering heaven, “But Jesus looked at them and said, With men this is impossible, but all things are possible with God.” (Matthew 19:26 AMP)

Trusting God’s promises will help us to accurately point the magnifying glass of the heart. When finances seem to be disastrous we cannot focus on the bills. We magnify the Lord by looking to His promises and what He has done in the past. Abraham faced the possibility of losing his son (See Genesis 22) yet the Lord intervened. “So Abraham called the name of that place The Lord Will Provide. And it is said to this day, On the mount of the Lord it will be provided.” (Genesis 22:14 AMP) God is our provider. In our greatest need we can also rely on His provision. “And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19 AMP)

When the future looks bleak we focus on, “For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.” (Jeremiah 29:11 AMP) When we have blown it we remember, “If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action].” (1 John 1:9 AMP)

The key to magnifying the Lord is found in the entirety of Psalm 34. The first five verses give us great directions. “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My life makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble and afflicted hear and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. I sought (inquired of) the Lord and required Him [of necessity and on the authority of His Word], and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant; their faces shall never blush for shame or be confused.” (Psalm 34:1-5 AMP) We start by blessing and praising God in all things. We then see Him in the greatness that is truly His nature. We place our confidence in the Lord and bring our needs before Him. He delivers and we are not put to shame.  We are glad in Him.

So point your magnifying glass in the direction of the Lord. Consider His greatness and the trials of life will fade.