As we move from Thanksgiving into the Christmas season, it’s wonderful when our heart becomes full of gratitude, anticipation, and joy. But we live on a battlefield and fight an enemy who wants to rob us of our joy—even at Christmas. Thus, we often have to work at having joy. Ah, but one sure way to grow our joy is to meditate on the greatness of our God. When we do—our lives will overflow with far more joy, confidence, and victory!
One of the greatest obstacles to our joy is when we focus more on the greatness of our problems instead of the greatness of our God.
I’ll never forget hearing a message where the minister said:
“Do you tell God how big your PROBLEMS are; or do you tell your problems how big your GOD is?”
How we answer this question can absolutely reset our joy! No matter what circumstances surround us, there is always more going RIGHT in our lives than going wrong. But to see that clearly, we must anchor our hearts in the greatness of God, not the roar of our circumstances. God does an excellent job of revealing His greatness through His Word. Just look at Job.
Job didn’t just suffer—he suffered unimaginably. Yet when God answered him, God did not spend one moment rehearsing Job’s pain. God did not break down the reasons for Job’s trial or even defend His decisions. Instead, God lifted Job’s eyes upward—toward His greatness. And God reminded him:
“Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it?
…Who shut in the sea with doors, when it burst forth and issued from the womb? When I said, ‘This far you may come, but no farther, and here your proud waves must stop!’
Have you commanded the morning since your days began?
Have you entered the springs of the sea? Have the gates of death been revealed to you? Have you comprehended the breadth of the earth? Tell Me, if you know all this.
Have you entered the treasury of snow? Do you know the ordinances of the heavens? Who has put wisdom in the mind?
Who can number the clouds by wisdom?”
Excerpts from Job 38:3–13, 16–19, 22, 33–36, 41
God wasn’t belittling Job—He was recalibrating him. He was teaching Job what He wants to teach us as we enter this Christmas season: When we know God’s greatness, we stop drowning in the details of our circumstances. This is where “head knowledge” becomes actual life-changing knowledge. We begin to live the truth of this verse: “Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.” 1 John 4:4
We stop reacting in fear. We stop living in defeat. We stop magnifying problems that are microscopic compared to a God, Who commands the dawn to break; sets boundaries for the oceans; stores up snow and hail; charts the heavens; numbers the clouds, and sustains the earth on nothing.
Entering into the knowledge of God’s greatness gives us His perspective. And His perspective gives us peace, even in the hardest seasons. Like the Psalmist we can pray with great confidence:
“Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You;
Let such as love Your salvation say continually,
‘The Lord be magnified!’ But I am poor and needy;
Yet the Lord thinks upon me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
Do not delay, O my God.”
Psalm 40:16–17
The God who laid the foundation of the earth is the same God who lay as a baby in the manger. And when we behold His greatness, our problems shrink to their proper size.
Prayer to Magnify the Lord:
Father, we come before You acknowledging what You already know; that is, that I often think more about the greatness of my problems than Your greatness. Forgive me for shrinking You in my mind and enlarging my own fears.
Today, as I enter this Christmas season, teach me to behold You as You truly are: God Who laid the foundations of the earth; Who commanded the morning; Who set boundaries for the seas; Who knows every star in the heavens.
You alone are the One Who says to my chaos: “This far you may come, but no farther.”
Magnify Yourself in my sight, Lord. Let Your greatness overshadow every worry and every burden. Help me cling to the truth of Your Word: “Greater is He Who is in me than he Who is in the world.” May your truth reign supreme in every thought, conversation and action.
Lift my eyes, above my distractions, anxieties, and confusion, and set them firmly on You. Remind me that Your plans are bigger than the enemy. As I enter this season celebrating the birth of Christ, let the wonder of Who You are burst forth like light. Lord, may my life magnify You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
