God’s laughter

 

As a new Christian, I thought God was like my earthly father, and even though Dad laughed much, it never entered my head that God had a sense of humor. Then I attended a drama at Easter and Jesus was portrayed as a happy person who laughed. Later, I read “The Pleasures of God” and much later during my devotions and conversations with God, and because of several incidents, I realized that God laughs. I could hear Him chuckle as He responded to me.
He also directed me to verses of amazement yet comfort:

Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying, “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.” He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.” (Psalm 2:1–6)

This ability to laugh is not just about God’s attitude of wrath against the foolishness of evil. I once was walking and praying, stewing over many things when I heard the Spirit of God say this: “Elsie, get out of my to-do list.” Instant relief. God was laughing at my silly pride and I laughed with Him.

He smiled broadly at the pink tulip issue and even prompted one of His children to make me a lovely wreath with pink tulips. I cried -- He chuckled -- in this and during many other incidents. His joy, given by the Holy Spirit, is sometimes an outburst of laughter. Yet the above verses refer to serious stuff. Our world is deteriorating and in a mess. The lack of respect for goodness and morality alone is enough to make anyone weep. It’s hard to conceive of our world, its nations and cities, even all relationships, even one heart, including my heart, in which every sin is completely gone. Yet that day is coming:

In just a little while, the wicked will be no more; though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there. But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace. The wicked plots against the righteous and gnashes his teeth at him, but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he sees that his day is coming. (Psalm 37:10–13)

Because of Jesus I have “an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for me” (1 Peter 1:4) and if not laughter, this gives me great joy. Since God can laugh as He knows the end of wickedness, I no longer need to stress about it. Not sure about laughing, but being at peace in this mess is a reality.

PRAY: You are my God who does all things well. The cross and Your meekness help my attitude and build my faith to know that one day, we will joyfully join You in a new reality — without all the sin that is so distressing. When wickedness seems to be on the increase and righteousness seems to be on the decrease, please, Father, allow me and all of your children to hear your laughter. I want Your joy to be my strength, your promises to be my confidence, and your timing to rule my schedule. Continually remind me that Jesus is making all things new. And may those reminders often come as laughter.