“Yeah, right!” Sarah chuckled. “Those men must really be enjoying their meal to make such grand statements.  Me, have a baby at this age – and Abraham even older?  A likely story!”

Suddenly, one of the visitors spoke, and her merriment faded.  “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ [he said].  Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” (Genesis 18:13-14)

Licking her dry lips, Sarah managed to stammer, “I did not laugh.”

The visitor didn’t bat an eyelid as He responded.  “Yes, you did laugh.”

Fast forward one year, and Sarah was laughing again – this time uncontrollably.  God’s fulfilled His word, and “was gracious to Sarah as he had said, [for] the LORD did for Sarah what he had promised.  Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him…[and] Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.” (Genesis 21:1 – 7)

In His grace and mercy, God did not judge Sarah for her lapse in faith; instead He escalated her laughter and made it permanent with Isaac’s birth and christening.

Trials of faith can be draining, and we may be tempted to hold on just a little less tightly to God’s promises through His word.  But our God is gracious and kind, and “He does not treat us as our sins deserve, or repay us according to our iniquities.  For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him.” (Psalm 103:10-11)

What are you waiting on God for today?  Declare His promises over that situation and laugh at what might seem absurd or out of reach.  Indeed, such fulfillment of our hopes and desires may appear to be an unattainable dream, for “When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion, we were like those who dream.  Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing.  Then they said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.’ The Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad.” (Psalm 126:1-3)

I pray for you this week and always, the grace to laugh uncontrollably, dreamily and permanently in Jesus Name!

Be blessed,

R

Image Attribution:

http://www.sharing4good.org/content/let-out-laughter