Written by Hubert Odias

Visiting friends, ladies, and gentlemen,

We are gathering here today to magnify our God.

One of the meanings of the verb magnify is to make something appear larger. In our vision of God, we cannot make Him larger than He already is. He is the infinite, and we can only magnify Him with a spirit of worship and celebration as we contemplate his majesty. But magnifying God always implies a purpose and a motive.

Throughout human history, people always magnified God: the angels did so with songs of worship; Mary, the mother of Jesus, out of joy and gladness; David, with thanksgiving. Their common purpose was to honor God.

Magnifying God also has its motive. The angels did so because He is the Savior; Mary, because she had found favor with Him; David, because God has forgiven his sins.

Like those three spiritual icons and others who came before us, we are gathering here tonight to magnify God. Well, “this is the day the Lord has made; let’s rejoice and be glad in it.” The excitement is already at its peak. Participants are numerous; the testimonies, the music, the singing, the speeches, the food and drinks, all led to enhance the sparkle of the occasion.

“Let it even be established that thy name may be magnified forever.” (1 Chronicles 17:24)

Magnifying God is giving thanks; thanksgiving is a gesture of gratitude with a spirit of satisfaction and deliverance. We thank God for granting our prayer requests based on our various needs. For instance, Mary’s blessing was not the same as David’s. As our individual needs differ, so do our requests and our blessings.

Likewise, what God had done for the sister who invited us here tonight may be different from what He did for the rest of us. But, indeed, God blesses us all in a specific way. One thing we need to do is to be thankful by “counting and naming our blessings one by one.”

Dear friends, lets reflect for a moment. God has been good to us all. Accordingly, a day set aside to honor Him is a spiritual duty. When the day we magnify God fulfills its purpose and its motive in us, it becomes a testimony of gratitude and a renewed commitment to Him. So ladies and gentlemen, let’s magnify God.

PS-Three years ago, I was invited to a party as a guest speaker. This article was the speech I presented on that occasion. I hope it is of interest to all of you.