Living and Laughing

“The way things are in this world I’m certain that your God never laughs,” said a skeptic.
“Well, I’m not sure if He laughs or not. But I am sure of one thing: He certainly created me so that I can laugh,” said his friend with a smile.

Some people think that tears and trials, grunts and groans are the centerpieces of the Christian life. Truth be told, tears and trials, grunts and groans are more associated with sin than they are with salvation. And to follow that thought, God’s Word promises us that one day, “He will wipe away all tears” from the eyes of the believer – not the unsaved.

A physician once said that “he who laughs lasts. People who laugh actually live longer than those who don’t laugh. Few people realize that their health actually varies according to the amount of laughter” in their lives. Would it not be wonderful if each time we felt discouraged we could go to the pharmacy and find an over-the-counter bottle that contained a tablet to make us laugh?

Not only are laughter and health related, but laughter and holiness are related. When the Lord brought His exiles back to Jerusalem a Psalmist wrote, “Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.’”

If there are any people on this earth who have a reason to laugh and sing songs of joy it is the Christian. Our sins have been forgiven and we have been released from the fear and penalty of death. We have the promise of an eternal home with the Creator of the universe and His beloved Son who redeemed us. And we have the power and presence of the Holy Spirit to guide, guard and give us a peace that passes all understanding.

What great reasons to laugh and sing songs of joy!

Prayer: It’s difficult to understand, Lord, why there are so many days we fail to laugh and rejoice. Bring us all some humor today! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 126:2 Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”