The Laughter of Faith
January 9th Scripture Reading: Genesis 21-24
In 1992 while attending a pastor’s conference in California, a man gifted in prophetic ministry gave my wife and I a word from the Lord. He told us we would have children in our later years and that they would be a blessing. Several months later at our home church, a visiting evangelist picked us out of 700 people and gave us the same word. At this time, we already had three children and had no plans for more. We chuckled a bit, but mostly wondered at these interesting words and what might come of them. Seven years later, in August of 1999, we traveled to Russia and adopted two daughters! As we had prepared to do this, we had forgotten the words of prophecy. Our son reminded us and I found in my file one of these words that had been typed out for me. It confirmed what we were about to do! God does know the end from the beginning! (Isaiah 42:9)
God promised a son to Abraham and Sarah in their later years. They waited 25 years and the promise finally came to pass. God waited until it was impossible for them to have a child and then did the impossible! Sarah had laughed at the angel’s announcement a year earlier. Abraham named the child “Isaac” which literally means “laughter”. In their old age they experienced the sound of laughter–the laughter of faith. Every time they spoke the child’s name they were reminded of God’s miracle!
Faith puts its trust in an object. Biblical faith always trusts in God and his ability to bring his promises to pass. It is not faith in our ability to believe! When God brings to pass what He promised, laughter is a great response! God has a great sense of humor! He always has the last laugh! He loves making us laugh too! Who wouldn’t want to walk with a God like that!
Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead, since he was about a hundred years old–and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver in unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had the power to do what he had promised.” Romans 4:18-21