I remember, as a child, how my father’s good nature, humor, and confidence made me feel secure in the face of threatening circumstances. When we would get lost on family vacation, he would laugh and enjoy the adventure, allaying my fears. As long as my Protector was in the driver’s seat and he was not ruffled, then I felt I would also be all right.
There is so much evil, hurt, and suffering around us constantly that can intimidate us. Our fear can be driven away by the knowledge of Who is in control. The first lines of Psalm 2 are highlighted in Handel’s Messiah:
Why are the nations in an uproar
And the peoples devising a vain thing?
The kings of the earth take their stand
And the rulers take counsel together
Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying,
“Let us tear their fetters apart
And cast away their cords from us!”
He who sits in the heavens laughs,
The Lord scoffs at them. Psalm 2:1-2, 4
None of this evil and mischief takes God by surprise. Their arrogance is preposterous to Him. And it makes Him laugh. This thought can be a comfort to us.
Behold, they belch forth with their mouth;
Swords are in their lips,
For, they say, “Who hears?”
But You, O Lord, laugh at them;
You scoff at all the nations. Psalm 59:7-8
He does not laugh at the terrible fate they face, reaping what they sow. He is not glad they will suffer for their rebellion. He grieves over His creatures’ sins. He laughs at how ludicrous it is for the mouse to shout insults at the lion.
12 The wicked plots against the righteous
And gnashes at him with his teeth.
13 The Lord laughs at him,
For He sees his day is coming.
14 The wicked have drawn the sword and bent their bow
To cast down the afflicted and the needy,
To slay those who are upright in conduct.
15 Their sword will enter their own heart,
And their bows will be broken.
35 I have seen a wicked, violent man
Spreading himself like a luxuriant tree in its native soil.
36 Then he passed away, and lo, he was no more. . . Psalm 37:12-15, 35-36
Lord, I, too, see myself in this sad cartoon too often, choosing audaciously to go my way, disdaining Yours. Forgive me for this swagger. Break my haughty spirit and fasten Your kind yoke upon me. Let me plough through life at Your side.
GRATEFUL 