God has made me laugh!
by Pastor Peter Bean
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
Sarah said: God has made me laugh. Everyone who hears about this will laugh with me (Genesis 21:6).
No wonder Sarah was laughing. Ninety years old! A newborn son! She had laughed at God when he said she would have a son. But God kept to his promise. And, at a ripe old age, she had borne new life. A blessing from God. A peal of laughter in her life. So, now, she could laugh with God.
And everyone who heard about it could laugh with her. Perhaps, at first, in disbelief. But then, with joy and marvelling at this miracle. Recognising that God keeps his promises and can do all things!
Have you ever laughed at God? Have you ever perhaps said – or at least thought: ‘Come on, God, you’ve got to be joking. This ain’t gonna happen.’ And yet it does, leaving humans shaking their heads in disbelief. Stories abound in the Bible and throughout history of those who questioned – even challenged – God and then had their lives turned around through the miraculous workings of the Holy Spirit.
Perhaps you have a story like that in your life. If so, why not share it and get people laughing with you? Maybe you are in a situation in your life now where the last thing you want to do is laugh. Those times can be hard – distressing and even soul-destroying. If so, find someone you trust to confide in and share with. After all, a burden shared is often a burden lightened.
Or, if you have to, tell God what you think. Laugh at God! God won’t strike you down. But he will keep the promise made to all of us: to be with you. He will be present in your distress, hear your complaints, and accept your disbelief and your laughter (that’s what the psalms teach us to do). And, in time, God will move you to a place where you can laugh with him and invite others to laugh with you.
My favourite verse in the Bible is Ephesians 3:19: God can do far more than you can imagine! It worked for Sarah. It works for me. It can work for you. Allow God’s imagination to run riot in your life. And allow God to make you laugh.
God of laughter, God who knows distress, be with us in our glad times and our sad times. Please help us to trust in you and to look forward to times of shared laughter. Amen.
In early October, Peter enjoyed a family camp with his children and grandchildren at Lake Bonney, South Australia. Then, he returned to weeding, planting, riding, reading and relaxing!
- Click here to read previous devotions.
- We are also posting them on LCA Facebook, making it easy for you to share them with family and friends.
- Sign up to receive Daily Devotion in your inbox every morning. If you’re already doing that, please encourage others to sign up. Click here for the link.
