Isaiah 19-21 / Galatians 2:1-16 / Psalm 59 / Proverbs 23:13-14
There are several verses in the Psalms where it says that God laughs at His enemies. He mocks them, He scorns them, and He is certainly not afraid of them. Of course, He would not be afraid because He is God who is all powerful. What about you and me? Have you ever laughed at an enemy?
Maybe you were instead shaking in your boots or hiding for fear they would physically hurt you. And maybe they did hurt you physically or emotionally. How do you suppose God felt about someone hurting you? I would say it made Him sad or even angry. Just as you would be upset when someone hurt someone you love, God is upset when His people are mistreated. But what do you supposed makes Him laugh?
Psalm 59:8 But you laugh at them, LORD; you scoff at all those nations.
I believe God laughs because He knows the end of the story. He knows that the enemy loses all things when everything is said and done. God will defend and protect us even when evil is attempting to destroy us. We may suffer and feel the pain of the attack, but we belong to Jesus Christ, and we do not need to fear.
God laughs because satan will be defeated and placed into a lake of fire for all eternity. He may cause pain and suffering now but his end is the worst possible scenario for a traitor. And we must live with that in mind. We must remember that we have authority over the enemy now and that his end is coming soon.
There have been times I have laughed, both at the enemy and at those he is using to inflict pain upon my family and me. Maybe I laugh because I know neither has any power over me since I belong to Jesus Christ. Maybe I laugh because I am healed and strong. Maybe I laugh because I have the perspective of Heaven. I was not always able to laugh.
There was a time I was angry, hurt, depressed and in tears. But I chose not to stay in that frame of mind. We have choices. We cannot choose what happens to us, but we can choose how we respond. Do I accept the evil plans, or reject them? Do I complain and whine about my suffering, or do I trust God to deliver me?
I have honestly done both. I have gotten better about keeping my eyes fixed on Jesus in the hard things, knowing I can’t change what is happening apart from His intervention. And I know He wants to intervene. He wants to heal, deliver and us free. He also wants to do that for those who are treating us as enemies.
Pray for those who persecute you. Forgive them and ask God to bless them. Why? Because then you will be healed and blessed. And maybe they will be also. We never know when God might use our prayers to heal and deliver our oppressors.
On a practical note, laughter is said to be like medicine. (Proverbs 17:22) So, find something funny and have yourself a good laugh. Or remember all God has done for you and allow joy to fill your soul. Whatever you do, do not permit anger or bitterness to fill your soul; you will certainly regret that.
Laugh at your enemies. Remember that God is also laughing, and I have a feeling that when He laughs all of Heaven shakes.
