Does God Laugh Out Loud?
When I asked our online sisters what they praise God for most of all, Nicole’s comment took me by surprise: “I absolutely love His sense of humor.”
She’s not the only one.
Kathleen says, “I know I’ve given Him a chuckle or two over the years,” and April reminds us, “We humans are capable of some pretty silly antics.”
No kidding.
So, does God actually laugh out loud? His Word tells us, “The One enthroned in heaven laughs” (Psalm 2:4 ). Sounds promising, until we read the rest of the verse: “the Lord scoffs at them.” Specifically, He laughs at earthly rulers who stand against Him and His anointed.
Naturally, God doesn’t find disobedience funny at all, so His derisive laughter here is meant to humble. Though the Hebrew word sachaq usually means “laughter, merrymaking, rejoicing,” it also can be translated “mocking, scorning.” A snicker. A harrumph. A snort.
Ah, but when God laughs over the people He loves, the sound is as gentle as His embrace. We may not hear His laughter, but we can sense His pleasure. We won’t find LOL in his Word, but we do find the promise, “so will your God rejoice over you” (Isaiah 62:5).
Even if we don’t see anything funny about a situation, God does.
As a little kid, I was famous for stamping my foot whenever I threw a full-blown tempter tantrum. My older siblings seldom hid their amusement. “Don’t laugh at me!” I would fume, looking and sounding even more ridiculous. My brother Tom invariably found a way to make me giggle, then gave me a hug to ease my embarrassment.
God handles us in much the same way, helping us see how truly foolish we are, even as He shows us the depth of His love, compassion, and forgiveness.
How can we be certain God has a sense of humor?
We are made in His image, so surely laughter began with Him.
God promises, “He will yet fill your mouth with laughter…” (Job 8:21).
He uses humor in our lives in dozens of beneficial ways.
By His design, laughter dissolves stress, relieves anger, eases disappointment, lowers blood pressure, mends relationships. And that’s just the short list.
Ask medical professionals, and they’ll tell you: when a patient begins to regain her sense of humor, it’s a sign of physical, emotional, and spiritual healing at work. Just as God’s Word tells us, “A cheerful heart is good medicine” (Proverbs 17:22).
My friend Elizabeth Jeffries is fond of saying, “God makes me laugh,” and Marci “loves His comic timing.” When He answers our prayers in unexpected and creative ways, when He makes a way where there was no way, we can’t help but smile and shake our heads in amusement. And amazement.
Heavenly Father, thank you for helping us laugh at ourselves and our world. Show us how to find joy—not in spite of our circumstances, but in the midst of them. When it’s “ time to laugh” (Ecclesiastes 3:4), give us the courage to make a joyful noise, knowing You’re not laughing at us: You’re laughing with us.
Can’t wait to hear what the Lord’s sense of humor means to you! Please take a second to share your thoughts below.
One of my goals this summer is to respond to as many of your comments as possible. (Forgive me for being rather hit-and-miss at that.) Plus, I want to post my blog every Wednesday, not just some Wednesdays. Or Thursdays. Thanks for your patience as I seek new ways to encourage you!
Your grateful sister, Liz,
@LizCurtisHiggs
P.S. You’ll find a dozen humorous stories in It’s Good to Be Queen: Becoming as Bold, Gracious, and Wise as the Queen of Sheba, releasing July 21st. Thanks for pre-ordering your copy today from Amazon, Barnes&Noble, or ChristianBook.
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