We live in a world overflowing with superlatives. We call meals “amazing,” sunsets “breathtaking,” and athletes “legendary.” But when it comes to describing God, even our most powerful words fall short. “Great,” “awesome,” “mighty”—they’re true, but barely scratch the surface. The magnificence of our God is not just something to just admire, it’s something that transforms us.
In Psalm 145:3 King David sets the tone: “Great is Jehovah, and highly to be praised, and His greatness is unsearchable.” This isn’t just poetic language—it’s a declaration of reality. David asserts the truth, God’s greatness knows no bounds, it cannot be measured.
God’s magnificence compels us to live differently, to think differently, and to respond with joyful surrender. How can we understand His magnificence?
His Magnificence in Creation
In Isaiah 40:25–26 God invites us to lift our eyes: “To whom then will you compare Me… Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these?” The stars, galaxies, and cosmic order are not random, rather they are the handiwork of a magnificent Creator. In Isaiah’s time, he could only see stars with the naked eye, and now with the advent of powerful telescopes we can see so much deeper into space. Even though we keep discovering more and more of the universe, and with each new technology we see farther and farther…God already knows each and every part of it. And it’s not just the heavens. The human body, with its intricate systems and stunning design, reflects divine craftsmanship as well. Our bodies are marvels and the more advances we make, the more we see how amazing our design really is. Yet God knows each one of us so well that He even has our hairs numbered (Luke 12:7).
We need to reflect on God’s amazing creation to recalibrate our view of Him.
His Magnificence in Power and Authority
In Jeremiah 32, the prophet is told to buy land in Judah even as the nation is under siege. It seems irrational, but Jeremiah obeys, trusting God’s promise of restoration. He prays, “Ah, Lord Jehovah! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for you” (Jeremiah 32:17).
God’s magnificence is not just cosmic—it’s personal. He directs events in human lives, orchestrates redemption, and invites us to trust Him even when circumstances seem bleak.
His power is greater than our limitations.
His Magnificence in His Holiness
Isaiah 6:3 records the cry of heavenly beings: “Holy, holy, holy is Jehovah of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!” The seraphim were not stuttering, it needed to be said three times, His holiness so great that it fills the earth. God’s holiness is not just moral purity, it’s being set apart, utterly unique, and divinely distinct. God’s holiness defines Him, and He calls His people to reflect it: “You shall be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16).
This isn’t a burden, it’s a privilege. To be holy is to be aligned with the character of God.
His Magnificence in Love and Mercy
Psalm 103:11–12 proclaims, “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His faithful love toward those who fear Him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” These words describe the enormity of His love and mercy toward those who fear (respect/obey) Him; He makes our sins disappear. Romans 5:8 reminds us, “But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
God’s love is not earned, it’s given to His faithful children. He knows every flaw, every failure, and still chooses us. Unlike earthly rulers, He doesn’t forget us or love from a distance. He entered our world, bore our sin, and offers forgiveness.
His Magnificence in Transformation
God’s magnificence isn’t distant—it’s meant to reshape us. “But we all… are being transformed into the same image [Christ’s]” (2 Corinthians 3:18). The apostle Paul is teaching in this passage that, as Christians, we get transformed into a likeness of Jesus. This isn’t a one-time event, it’s a lifelong process.
God is so magnificent that He takes His children, warts and all, and transforms us into images of His son. God’s glory changes how we think, speak, and live.
Living in Response to His Magnificence
Realizing God’s magnificence must mean something. In the Old Testament, God repeatedly says, “Then they will know that I am Jehovah.” But Hosea 4:6 laments, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” The issue wasn’t information—the people knew who God was, and claimed to be His people, but they didn’t really know God. They lacked transformation. Though they thought they knew God, they did not live like it mattered.
Deuteronomy 6:6–7 commands parents to teach their children diligently, to talk about God’s ways in every moment. But knowledge without action is empty. In the Old Testament, God kept showing His magnificence to His people over and over again, but what was missing was faithful response.
As Christians, we need to make our knowledge meaningful. Let’s cultivate an “I can’t wait!” attitude:
I can’t wait to humble myself
I can’t wait to stop doing things God doesn’t desire
I can’t wait to start doing things He wants
I can’t wait to love God fully, to love people fully
I can’t wait to serve, to do things for Him and others that I might not otherwise do
Let knowledge of God’s magnificence move you to action, compassion, and surrender.
Faith Challenge
Don’t just admire God...respond to Him. Constantly ask, “What’s next, Lord?” Live with an attitude of “I can’t wait!” Let His glory shape your decisions, your relationships, and your legacy.
The magnificence of our God is not just a theological truth, it’s a daily invitation.
Jeff Mullen
Blanco Hills Church
830-554-0701
blancohillschurch@gmail.com