When God Laughs

Maintaining a Sense of Humour in the Face of Trouble

I was recently going through some old photographs—many of them baby pictures of my children. They brought back so many wonderful memories.

When my youngest daughter, now almost sixteen years old, was about a year old, she had the most contagious laugh. It was a deep, belly-full laugh that made everyone around her laugh as well. Her siblings would do everything they could just to hear her laugh again. Simply watching her filled the room with joy.

As I reflected on those memories, I thought about something that surprised me.

There are a few places in Scripture where we are told that God laughs (Psalm 2:4; Psalm 37:13; Psalm 59:8).

One of the clearest is Psalm 2.

The nations rage. Kings and rulers gather together. They make plans against the Lord and against His Anointed. They imagine that they can overthrow God's purposes and cast off His rule.

Then comes this remarkable verse:

"He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision."—Psalm 2:4 (KJV)

I found myself imagining that laughter—a laugh of complete confidence; a laugh that mocks the absurdity of their efforts. It reminded me of the carefree laughter of a toddler who sees something so ridiculous that all she can do is laugh.

A kind of, "What do they think they are doing?"

The difference between my daughter's laughter, however, is that while God is laughing, we usually are not.

When we are living through opposition, unfair treatment, false accusations, oppression, workplace conflict, or unexpected hardship, it rarely feels amusing. We are often anxious, fearful, frustrated, or deeply hurt. We feel the weight of what others are doing to us.

But what if God is inviting us to see those situations from where He sits?

What if He is inviting us to laugh with Him—not because the pain is insignificant, but because the outcome is never in doubt?

What if He wants us to have the same confidence that the attack will never accomplish what its planners intended?

What if we could see, as He does, that their plans can only go as far as He permits and can never overturn His purposes for His children?

I know this might sound like, "Easier said than done."

Yet the Bible suggests that such confidence is possible.

"But the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits."—Daniel 11:32

Perhaps one of those exploits is learning to remain calm—even to keep a sense of humour—when faced with the everyday annoyances and opposition of life.

If we are to share His confidence from the above Scripture, the question must be asked:

Do you know your God?

This question invites us to consider His character, His nature, His track record throughout Scripture, His relationship with those He loves, His capabilities, and His unlimited power to accomplish His purposes.

So what do we know about Him?

We know that He already knows the end of the story.

We know that He has the final word.

We know that His purposes cannot be overturned.

We know that once we place our situation in His hands, His plans—not theirs—will ultimately stand.

Again and again, Scripture reminds us that human plans cannot defeat God's purposes.

Deuteronomy 28:7 — "The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways."

Isaiah 8:9–10 — "Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces... take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God is with us."

Isaiah 54:15, 17 — "Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake... No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn."

Psalm 33:10–11 — "The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect. The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations."

Proverbs 19:21 — "There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand."

Job 5:12 — "He disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise."

Psalm 21:11 — "For they intended evil against thee: they imagined a mischievous device, which they are not able to perform."

Psalm 37:12–13 — "The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth. The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming."

Psalm 64:5–8 — "They encourage themselves in an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privily; they say, Who shall see them?... But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded. So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves."

All these Scriptures point to one truth:

There can be a divine reversal of any plan or situation.

Examples abound throughout the Bible of God frustrating human plans and fulfilling His own.

Haman carefully built the gallows for Mordecai, only to be hanged on them himself (Esther 7:9–10).

Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery, believing they had ended his dreams, yet God used their actions to position him to save an entire nation (Genesis 50:20).

Nehemiah laid the threats and letters of opposition before God, and the work continued until the wall was completed (Nehemiah 4:7–9; 6:15).

Again and again, people planned.

God prevailed.

Perhaps that is why heaven remains perfectly calm while earth is in turmoil.

But notice something else.

The people for whom God showed up did not remain passive.

Esther proclaimed a fast, sought God's help, and then acted boldly before the king (Esther 4:16; 5:1–2).

Nehemiah prayed, made practical plans, posted guards, and continued building (Nehemiah 4:9, 13–18).

Joseph worked faithfully wherever God placed him, and the Lord prospered the work of his hands (Genesis 39:2–4, 21–23).

They trusted God, but they also prepared, acted, and applied wisdom.

What might this look like for us?

Perhaps there is an obstacle in your path today.

You may not feel like laughing—and that's alright.

But by all means, remain calm.

Lay the situation at His feet.

Bring it to Him every day.

Do your very best in the situation, making sure to do all that is within your power and ability to do.

Meditate on the truths of Scripture that reveal His power, His wisdom, and His faithfulness.

Then trust that, in His time, God will meet you with the wisdom, strength, favour, and grace you need to go through whatever situation you are facing until the obstacle gives way.

The same God who says,

"The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms."(Deuteronomy 33:27)

"I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."(Hebrews 13:5)

"When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee."(Isaiah 43:2)

is the God who still sits in the heavens and laughs.

He can be trusted to help you.

Reflection

As you go about your day, spend some time reflecting on the Scriptures that promise hope.

Ask yourself:

• Do I know my God?

  
  

• Do I have a personal relationship with Him that gives me confidence when life becomes difficult?

  
  

• What can I begin to do today to deepen my relationship with Him?

  
  

May God once again fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with rejoicing.

"Till he fill thy mouth with laughing, and thy lips with rejoicing."—Job 8:21 (KJV)

In Jesus' name, Amen.