No Laughing Matter
Linda Guy
There are situations in our lives which are no laughing matter. We are exhorted to rejoice in the Lord always as the fruit of the Spirit is joy, but let's face it, many of life's trials are nothing to be particularly happy about. We cannot just laugh off such situations, let alone laugh in them.
Sarah, Abraham's wife, finally gives birth to the promised Isaac, and she laughs. "And Sarah said, God has made me laugh", or God has made laughter for me. Genesis 2:6, Linda Guy
I wonder if, in the midst of all that had gone before, she laughed.
Did she laugh as she followed her husband journeying into the unknown?,
Did she laugh as she was despised by Hagar?
Did she laugh when Abraham stretched the truth, and claimed she was his sister?
Did she laugh as Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed?
Do you not think that in all these, and the events recorded, that she felt that she would never laugh again?
She had laughed silently, mockingly and in disbelief when told she would have a son, though past child bearing age. But now, she laughs aloud so all can hear and laugh with her. Sarah feared and trusted God; she yielded to Him in all her circumstances, but I suspect she often thought, this is no laughing matter. I know I would have. Sin is no laughing matter, oppression is not; neither are being abused, having rebellious children, bankruptcy or illness. But Sarah knew that one amen in the circumstances is better than a thousand afterwards.
Yet Sarah did laugh afterwards. How wonderful that God inspired the writer to record the laughter of Sarah. This gives hope to those that mourn, to those that are suffering, grieving or hurting. Hope to those who, though they trust God in all circumstances, do not find laughter breaking forth.
Do you believe that God has made laughter for you? Belief in the promise that Christ's joy will be exposed through your emotions one day, gives the amen of your heart now. In the meantime, the joy and peace of Christ reigning will lift you in freedom from being controlled by the situation.
One day, you will laugh. Not necessarily because the circumstances have changed, but because what has always been in your spirit has found a place of release as you rest in His love.