In this world of distractions, problems, tribulations and trials, it easy to have thoughts and imaginations that exalt themselves against the knowledge of God [2 Cor 10:5].  One of the ways to combat these thoughts is to magnify the Lord.  Exalt him until he is bigger than the problems you face.  David gives us some excellent ways to magnify the Lord:

Praise him – Ps 34:1-2 – “his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”  One of the best ways to praise him continually is to thank him [Heb 13:15].  According to 1 Thes 5:18 it is the will of God that we be thankful in everything.  If you spend more time thanking God for all the benefits with which he has loaded you, you will have much less time to think about your problems.  He will be magnified.

Seek him – Ps 34:3, 10 – “I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.”  Seek the Lord in everything you do and in everything you face.  Seek him first and seek him continually.  An employee was having difficulty at work and wondered how to deal with the problem.  The employee sought the Lord and waited.  This employee never had to deal with the problem, since the manager saw what was happening and intervened.  God, who was magnified, took care of it for his child.  

Pray to him – Ps 34:6 – when you pray to the Lord he will give you direction to navigate through the trials, problems, and difficult decisions of life.  He is magnified when we come to him with our difficulties.  I have a very important decision to make soon.  So, I have been praying about it.  During prayer the other day, while interceding for some others, the Lord gave me the answer and it makes perfect sense.  Magnify him by going to him in prayer with everything you face.

Fear him – Ps 34:7-11 – the fear of God is not a natural thing.  David said, “I will teach you the fear of the Lord.”  The fear of God manifests itself in your obedience all the time [Ecc 12:13].  When you fear God you obey him whether you think he sees you or not, whether you are aware of his presence or not.  When you fear God above all things and people, he is magnified and your fears about everything else are diminished.  “The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them,” [Ps 34:7].

Conclusion: Like David said, “There is no want to them that fear him.”  You are perfectly content.  And “godliness with contentment is great gain,” 1 Tim 6:6.  When you face the difficulties of this life, magnify God by thanking and praising him, by seeking him, by praying to him about everything and by fearing him.  Taste and see that he is good [Ps 34:8].