An elderly lady sat in front of me in church yesterday. She had in her left hand the notice sheet for the service in large print. In her right hand, she gripped a magnifying glass. Every letter illuminated. Words clear as crystal. It was so clear that even I could appreciate it! I had never seen anyone bring a magnifying glass to church before, but this lady’s poor eyesight gave me a clear vision and understanding.
Where is my magnifying glass? Metaphorically, where is it?
I want to look at the pages of God’s word with such intensity; with a heart that is open, a soul that is yearning and a love that is growing for the Lord. I want to magnify the word of God in my own life.
The ‘Nano Bible’
The BBC News reported that the world’s smallest bible has been put on display in Jerusalem. It is no bigger than the size of a pinhead. It is called the ‘Nano Bible’. There is great excitement because technology has made this possible. It is fascinating what technology can do. But really? This is what everyone is so excited about?! I wonder what the elderly lady would say clutching her magnifying glass as she was presented with the world’s smallest bible.
Dr Adolfo Roitman spoke to the BBC and said that the whole of the Hebrew bible in this nano technological development can “…teach students how incredible is the nano technology. If you amplify it at least 10,000 times, you are able to read from this text.”
It is pretty amazing technology. Granted. But why teach students about how incredible the nano technology is at the expense of not teaching them about the Author and Creator of the text itself? The lady in church used the magnifying glass (which I am sure was as amazing as the nano technology when it was first discovered) to ensure she could follow what was going on and to read the bible clearly. She did not want to miss anything. She was so dedicated to following the text that she wanted it to be magnified for her so she could fully grasp the words. The ‘Nano Bible’ proves what technology can do, but it leaves the students and visitors completely missing the point about what God has done and can do, who God is and how that affects us. Thank goodness the ‘Nano Bible’ is not the only bible available!
Metaphorical Magnifying Glass
The power of technology has made both positive and negative contributions to our world. What challenges me is that I find myself spending more time scrolling through Twitter, checking my emails, texting, updating Facebook, blogging etc than setting aside that time with me, God and my metaphorical magnifying glass. Amplifying God’s word in my heart. Magnifying Him in my life to others. I want to study the bible; not in an academic sense but in a relational sense. I want to know God more and to magnify His words as my fingers gently turn the pages. Let each word I read rejuvenate my soul; refresh my Spirit; reconcile me to Him through the forgiveness of my sins on the cross; and resound in my heart. There is newness of life found in knowing Jesus Christ who brings me to God the Father by His Spirit that dwells within me.
O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. Psalm 34:3
I pray that we can get our metaphorical magnifying glasses out and spend some time amplifying the Lord ten times ten thousand times and beyond that! Why downsize God’s word into the ‘Nano Bible’ when you can amplify His word, telling others about his splendor and majesty, and giving Him glory and praise? Let’s not let technology become the focus and distraction when we have access to a Creator God who intrinsically designed us with a purpose. Let’s spend time in His presence knowing who we are in Him and that we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14).
Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
his understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the faint,
and to him who has no might he increases strength.
Even youths shall faint and be weary,
and young men shall fall exhausted;
but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.Isaiah 40:28-31
Linking up with Kelly Balarie at Purposeful Faith 🙂
An Anchored Hope 
This is such a thought-provoking post, Ruth. I want to seek God and look into his word with that kind of intensity, like I’m looking through a magnifying glass. I hadn’t heard of the nano Bible but I agree with your points that time would be better spent teaching students how to study God’s word. Thank you for sharing this. Truth-filled words here, friend.
Yes, Ruth, I want to magnify him. I want to do just what you say. Make him bigger. See him larger. Great words. Powerful. Cheering you on from the #RaRalinkup on Purposeful Faith.
I love the image of the magnifying glass. I work in an assisted living and so many struggle with their vision but they have the word of God tucked so securely in their hearts. It challenges and provokes me to do the same.