The Contagious Laugher of Answered Prayer

And Sarah said, “God has made me laugh, so that all who hear will laugh with me.” Genesis 21:6

What could be more delightful than having a dream come true and a nagging doubt put to rest at the same time? That was Sarah’s experience when her long-awaited baby was born. It was so much fun her husband, Abraham, even named the little boy “Laughter” for this is what the word “Isaac” means.

They had waited more than twenty years for this little bundle of miracle and when at last they held him in their arms, their joy knew no bounds! Neighbors got in on the celebration. Visitors laughed out loud when they heard the story. Even today the story of how Sarah’s scoffing laugh of unbelief (Gen. 18:10-14) was turned to the genuine laughter of joy (Gen. 21:6) brings a smile.

But Sarah and Abraham were not the only ones to experience contagious laughter when prayers were answered. Psalm 126 was written as the Jews returned from captivity to their native land. God had promised they would come back, and they had! How positive the future looked! What fun to stand again in Jerusalem! What joy to actually see God’s hand moving in world events! Their joy was so contagious even their heathen neighbors found a reason to laugh as they shook their heads in amazement saying, “The Lord has done great things for them!”

Have you had a prayer answered lately? Don’t keep it to yourself! There is far too little joy in this world. Add your own note to the melody of praise. Jesus said we should ask “that your joy may be full!” (Joh. 16:24) When you share an answered prayer the joy creates ripples of laughter that—like waves when pebbles are cast into still water—roll on and on and.....