God Laughs!

Do you know there was a period in the history of God’s people where they were defeated by another nation, forced away from their homes and taken to another country to live? Could you even begin to imagine the horror of what that would feel like?

All of a sudden you are told, “Here is your home!”

In many ways, and at different times in world history, this happens to people. It is tragic every time. Why do the nations rage?

Why are the nations so angry?

    Why do they waste their time with futile plans?

2 The kings of the earth prepare for battle;

    the rulers plot together

against the Lord

    and against his anointed one.

3 “Let us break their chains,” they cry,

    “and free ourselves from slavery to God.” (Psalm 2, NLT)

The rulers of the world believe power and might can break them away from God. It is a struggle to escape the one with true power and might. They can try all they want, and yet God’s response is to laugh.  

4 But the one who rules in heaven laughs.

    The Lord scoffs at them.

5 Then in anger he rebukes them,

    terrifying them with his fierce fury.

6 For the Lord declares, “I have placed my chosen king on the throne

    in Jerusalem, on my holy mountain.”  (Psalm 2, NLT)

Now, God isn’t laughing at the pain. He isn’t laughing at the hurt and darkness that consumes so much of the world, even to this day. He laughs because He knows He is still in charge. He knows for all those who believe in the work of Jesus Christ, life will be made whole.  

This life is but a breath, and there is an eternity for us to be with Him. No matter how terrible things get in this life, or in the world around us, this is not the end of the story.  

When Jesus died on the cross, the devil thought he won. You can almost picture him throwing a party, saying now God will never be able to have any rule here on earth again. That was not the end of the story.

Rather, in three days Jesus defeated death and rose from the grave! The Apostle Paul says if the devil knew what was going to happen, he never would have had Jesus killed.

It is a wisdom that none of the present-day rulers have understood, because if they did understand it, they would never have crucified the Lord of glory! (1 Corinthians 2:8, CEB)

I can picture God laughing at this too. Can you?

Blessings,

Pastor Matt