The Last Laugh

Read Genesis 20-21

When God told Abraham he would have a son, he laughed (17:17). When Sarah heard of it later, she laughed too (18:12).

They had so little trust for God! Oh, I do not judge harshly the Abraham and Sarah, wonderful examples of faith! They are praised in Hebrews 11 for how they lived by faith! They went where God told them to go, and the trusted.

But still, our human faith is always a weak and frail faith. We can almost hear Jesus scolding the disciples, "Oh, you of little faith!"

Perhaps not in disbelief, but at least in a weak faith, Abraham and Sarah laughed when they heard God's plans. But who is laughing now?

God provided a son, from Abraham's body, and from Sarah's body. Their own, biological offspring. Not an adopted servant. Not Abraham's offspring with the servant woman. The actual, real, biological son of the old couple. Isaac is named, "He laughs." The expression goes: "If you want to make God laugh, just tell him your plans."

God's plans prevail, and humans are left surprised. We believers (though we have but little faith) receive God's gracious surprises with great joy. A laugh of skepticism is turned to a surprised and exuberant giggle. God's plans are beyond our predicting, beyond our understanding, and beyond our ability to bring it about.

Ultimately, humans are surprised at how God provides salvation and rescue to sinners, even those "of little faith." He allows his only Son to be killed that we might have life! The Devil cackled with joy at the Fall of man. But who is laughing now?

God has plans for you. He has saved you in the most surprising way possible! Rejoice! Laugh! Sing! And trust. Though you do not know what God is doing in your life right now, God is at work. He has his plans. God will have the last laugh.

I had a very serious conversation with a woman this week who was offered palliative care by doctors because the medicine was no longer helping her heart. I gave her council, and encouragement from Scripture about her salvation in Jesus and her heavenly home. She stopped the medicine. She said her goodbyes to family. And she waited...and waited...and she...got better! In fact, she went home from the hospital the next day! All we could do was laugh in surprise and joy. Family and doctors were baffled! But God has his plans.

In your life it might not look that dramatic. But God has plans for you, plans that will surprise you, plans that will bless you. Be strong in the Lord. Be patient. Wait for the Lord. And get ready to laugh.

Pray:

"Gracious God, thank You for intervening in our lives in Your promised Offspring, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen." (TLSB p. 46)

Study with me tomorrow,

Pastor Jon

Soli Deo Gloria!