The One enthroned in heaven laughs. Psalm 2:4
In the sporting arena, no one laughs at their opponent. From time to time a team or an individual may take an opponent too lightly. In which case they may be taken by surprise and lose the match, but serious sportspeople don’t laugh at an opponent.
But God is never taken by surprise. Consequently, he can laugh at those who oppose him. “The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming” (Psalm 37:13). God knows what will happen in the future. He has the devil on a limited time frame. The devil can do nothing that God doesn’t allow. Therefore God can laugh at the wicked’s feeble attempts to thwart God’s purposes.
Our perspective is small in comparison. When we look at the world, we don’t see God’s ultimate control. Often we see evil apparently winning. We wonder why God doesn’t intervene and prevent hardship and suffering. At such times we need to trust in God’s character and rely on his goodness, believing that one day at the end of time he will be able to say to us, “I can explain everything.”
In the meantime, if we remind ourselves of God’s all-powerfulness, we can be like the woman who is, “… clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come” (Proverbs 31:25). She can laugh at the days to come because she knows God is in control.
amen, amen, and amen. how often is our perspective so limited and “blinded” by the things we actually see with our physical eyes. instead of asking god “why am i in the midst of this suffering? what part do you wish me to play in it?” we prefer to question god’s wisdom or existence and the like. but that is slowly starting to change for me. finally.
and it’s much better this way. because he always has us in hand and has our deliverance prepared for us before we even ask. he has never let any of his children down, and he’s not about to start. open our eyes to see you at work even in the midst of pain, lord! i think that’s one advantage that so many of our “heroes” of faith had. it’s not that they were amazing people or had anything special, they were simply willing to offer everything to god as a sacrifice. even their emotional and physical well being. and when a person is willing to give up even their very life, god can take that person and use them ANYWHERE. because there is nowhere they will not go, and nothing they will not say. even to those who have the power to kill the body. because they fear more the one who has the power to cast noth body and soul into hell. oh that we would all rise up into this kind of strength! help us lord, help us! the time is so short and the workers so few.
csyeza
Good to have you back, Jon
🙂