Laughter and the Lord

I'll admit it, I like to laugh. There is nothing quite like hearing an amusing story or pun or viewing a picture that is just plain funny. But I've always pondered how this relates to God. Surely He is the one who gives us the ability to chuckle... so does He laugh as well?

I think He does. The evidence is throughout the Bible - in both the Old and New Testaments. Consider many of the Proverbs, for example. What funny images are sprinkled throughout the 31 chapters of this Wisdom book:

"It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife." (Prov 21:9)

"The sluggard buries his hand in the dish and will not even bring it back to his mouth."  (Prov 19:24)

"As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed."  (Prov 26:14)

Of course there is a serious lesson to be learned within these passages, but God uses memorable images that make us laugh AND remember the folly behind each one.

Or take the story of Abraham and Sarah, for years longing for a baby. Long after the promise was made to Abraham that he would be the father of many nations, no baby shower could be planned. The Scriptures then tell us that "Therefore, from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore." God promised them a son, and a son they got, but not before the husband in question could eventually be described with the phrase "as good as dead" that always causes me to laugh.

And Sarah laughed too! While eavesdropping on the angels talking to Abraham she heard that within a year she would be holding a baby boy. When he was born, he was aptly named "Isaac" which means "He laughs/Will laugh."  

Here is one of my favorite songs by Michael Card that summarized this whole episode of "an impossible promise come true!" Listen Here.

Finally, as evidence that God appreciates and probably even laughed while creating some of His creatures, look at these pictures and admit that they made you smile, and maybe even laugh out loud, as I did!