The Response

Now we see the third mention of laughter in the bible, the naming of Isaac and Sarah’s response, now that he is born.

Genesis 21 says, Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.”  And she added, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.”

God was merciful to Sarah’s mocking laugh at his miraculous provision and brought her a son, fulfilling his promise.  And therefore, Sarah and Abraham named their son Isaac – which means “laughter.”  Isn’t that so cool?

And then we see Sarah’s response even further, to God’s merciful love towards her, she then says that God has brought her laughter (of a different kind – that mirth and joy kind) and she wants everyone to know of his provision so they too can laugh with her in joy.  She responds in amazement at the mercy AND provision of the God who keeps his promise.

We are most likely going to laugh in joy or mockery to our God, depending on how destitute and weary we become in the waiting process.  And when the promise comes, the best way we can respond is by marveling at God’s mercy and goodness even when we are not faithful to trust in him.

I love this story of laughter – the good kind – and the bad kind – and the only response of a merciful God – to offer mercy and grace – and to provide for us anyway.

When we have that day of reckoning and realize that God is who he says he is, we must respond with laughter and invite those who see to laugh along with us how Great God is in our lives.