Laughing at God
There are at least two ways that we can laugh at God. We can laugh in a doubting and scornful way. That happens when we fail to believe what He says. However, we can laugh in faithful expectation, too. That is how Abraham laughed at God, when He told Him that he and Sarah would have a baby boy in their extreme old age.(Genesis 17:17) God did not get angry with Abraham for laughing at what He said. Let's consider why this morning.
God was restating His covenant with Abraham and changing his name, as well as his wife's name, as we read about this encounter in Genesis 17. God assured Abraham that Ishmael was not going to be the heir, because Isaac would be born to Abraham and Sarah, even though Abraham was about to be 100 years old and Sarah 90 years old. What did Abraham do as soon as he heard from God? He fell on his face in worship and submission. Yes, he laughed when he thought about having a baby at that stage of life, but he did not doubt God's ability to do it. He laughed at the thought of having that experience at his age. He laughed because God surprised him by how He was going to fulfill His covenant. It was a good laugh.
I pray that as we worship God today with our church families that we will have similar experiences to begin 2014. I pray that God will speak to our hearts, and as we hear from Him, we will bow in worship and commitment to Him, even if what He says puts a smile on our face and chuckle in our hearts. I pray that we will see miracles happen because we believe God like Abraham did. I pray that we have a good laugh with God today because of what He is about to do in our lives.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Genesis 18-20.
God was restating His covenant with Abraham and changing his name, as well as his wife's name, as we read about this encounter in Genesis 17. God assured Abraham that Ishmael was not going to be the heir, because Isaac would be born to Abraham and Sarah, even though Abraham was about to be 100 years old and Sarah 90 years old. What did Abraham do as soon as he heard from God? He fell on his face in worship and submission. Yes, he laughed when he thought about having a baby at that stage of life, but he did not doubt God's ability to do it. He laughed at the thought of having that experience at his age. He laughed because God surprised him by how He was going to fulfill His covenant. It was a good laugh.
I pray that as we worship God today with our church families that we will have similar experiences to begin 2014. I pray that God will speak to our hearts, and as we hear from Him, we will bow in worship and commitment to Him, even if what He says puts a smile on our face and chuckle in our hearts. I pray that we will see miracles happen because we believe God like Abraham did. I pray that we have a good laugh with God today because of what He is about to do in our lives.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Genesis 18-20.