Biblical Reflections · Christian Life
How long has it been since you laughed?
5 min read, approximately
Psalms 126:2
“Then our mouths will be filled with laughter and our tongues with praise. Then they will say among the nations: The LORD has done great things for them.”
“Laughter is one of the most beautiful ways the Lord has given us to express our happiness.“
Surely we have all seen a child laughing uncontrollably. Without even asking what the child is laughing at, we feel the same thing, and suddenly we start laughing too. Yes, it can spread; it is wonderful and contagious!
Joy, however, goes much further: it is the ability God has given us to rejoice even in times of difficulty, oppression, and scarcity.
But how can we rejoice in circumstances like these?
By remembering that the Lord:
\1. Provides for us
“And my God shall supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Now unto our God and Father [be] the glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (Philippians 4:19-20)
\2. Helps us
“thou whom I have taken hold of from the ends of the earth, and called from the corners thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant, I have chosen thee and not cast thee away; fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Behold, all they that are incensed against thee shall be put to shame and confounded: they that strive with thee shall be as nothing, and shall perish. Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contend with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought. For I, Jehovah thy God, will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.” (Isaiah 41:9-13)
\3. Saves us
“and he said, Jehovah is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer, even mine; God, my rock, in him will I take refuge; My shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge; My saviour, thou savest me from violence. I will call upon Jehovah, who is worthy to be praised: So shall I be saved from mine enemies.” (2 Samuel 22:2-4)
\4. Is always in control
“My help [cometh] from Jehovah, Who made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: He that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel Will neither slumber nor sleep. Jehovah is thy keeper: Jehovah is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, Nor the moon by night. Jehovah will keep thee from all evil; He will keep thy soul. Jehovah will keep thy going out and thy coming in From this time forth and for evermore.” (Psalms 121:2-8)
Other reasons?
“A glad heart maketh a cheerful countenance; But by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.” (Proverbs 15:13)
“A cheerful heart is a good medicine; But a broken spirit drieth up the bones.” (Proverbs 17:22)
“Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye grieved; for the joy of Jehovah is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)
“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus to you-ward.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Let us remember…
The Lord longs for us to learn to rejoice! And how could we not, if the Lord provides for us, helps us, saves us, and is always in control?
“But I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at length ye have revived your thought for me; wherein ye did indeed take thought, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therein to be content. I know how to be abased, and I know also how to abound: in everything and in all things have I learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in want. I can do all things in him that strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:10-13)
And just in case…
“For though the fig-tree shall not flourish, Neither shall fruit be in the vines; The labor of the olive shall fail, And the fields shall yield no food; The flock shall be cut off from the fold, And there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in Jehovah, I will joy in the God of my salvation.” (Habakkuk 3:17-18)
Shall we rejoice from today onward?
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May God continue to bless you, and may you keep having an excellent day in Christ Jesus!