Ecclesiastes 3:4
a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
The Medicine of Laughter
You’ve heard that laughter is the best medicine because it actually does a body good. It lessens stress, lowers blood pressure, and strengthens the immune system, among many other benefits. Do you remember the story of the talking donkey? It’s recorded in Numbers chapter 22 when Balaam was attempting to go with the Moabites to talk to King Balak about somehow bringing down Israel. God was very angry at this and sent an angel of the Lord to block his way (Num. 22:21). The angel stood in the narrow pathway so that the donkey could not pass, but apparently only the donkey could see this angel and not Balaam, so the donkey refused to go any further (Num. 22:23-24). WBalaam kept striking the donkey to make him go, finally the donkey talked to Balaam and asked him why Balaam was beating him (Num. 22:28). Instead of being astonished, Balaam was apparently so angry that he carried on a conversation with the donkey, not thinking anything strange about it. Can you now see that God must have a sense of humor? He must have. We can see it in this story and in watching children, puppy dogs, and kittens play, which can all be humorous to watch.
A Return of Laughter
Today, Israel doesn’t have much to laugh at. She is surrounded by nations that want to destroy her, but someday God will restore His people and their nation. Their joy will result in laughter and their tongues with joyful shouts all because of what God has done for them (Psalm 126:1-3). Have you ever felt so happy or joyous that you laughed out loud? That is not as unusual as you might think. I wonder if God laughs with joy when one sinner is saved since there is more joy in heaven over one sinner that repents than over ninety-nine that don’t (Luke 15:7).
God Laughs?
God knows that a happy heart brightens up our faces (Prov. 15:13), and since we are created in the image of God and humans have a sense of humor, it would stand to reason that God also has a sense of humor. Can you imagine God singing? The fact is that He does. He rejoices over us with such gladness and then exults over us with singing (Zeph. 3:17). So why would we think He wouldn’t laugh? Not laugh at us but laugh with joy over us and sometimes, I am sure, laugh with us. You don’t have to look very far in examining His creatures to see that God indeed does have a sense of humor. I have learned to laugh at myself, too. Is there anything more joyful than to hear someone laughing?
A Closing Prayer
God my Father, thank You for the joy that I have in being saved by You, that Your attributes are many, and that You never have a bad day. I thank You for Your love for me and for all that You have done for me, and I praise You for that. In the precious name of the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, I pray.
Amen
Republished by Blog Post Promoter
