Let My People Laugh

As we prepare to enjoy an evening of laughter and fun put on by our drama department in two weeks, I have been musing (reflecting) on that whole concept in the life of a Christian. One of the first psalms I learned as a child was actually in the form of a song, a hymn actually. It was Psalm 100, and it began, “All people that on earth do dwell.” Most of it made sense to my 3 ½ lbs of brain until I got to the line, “Him serve with mirth, His praise forthtell.” Not exactly elementary age street slang! I had not a clue what mirth was...thought it might be a derivative of ‘mercy’, but requiring a lisp. When I found out it actually means great joy, it made more sense, even if the preponderance of German Lutherans around me seemed a bit lacking in it! From my trusty Thesaurus, I learned that synonyms for ‘mirth’ are even more intriguing: everything from cheerfulness, hilarity, hysteria, kicks, revelry—all the way to my personal favorite—whoopee!

Think of it—Him serve with whoopee! When was the last time you were asked to serve in some capacity and your response was whoopee!??? But that is exactly the goal of the Christian life…not only to follow Christ and serve one another, but to get to the point where it is our joy!!! It becomes a “get to”, rather than a “have to.”

Here are some scattered thoughts about joy and laughter from the Bible…

1. Timing is everything:

To everything there is a season: A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance. Ecclesiastes 3:4

2. God Himself enjoys a good laugh:

He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. Psalm 2:4 (Remember that famous one-liner: “If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans.”)

The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. Zephaniah 3:17

3. God is the joy-giver:

He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with shouting. Job 8:21

Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” Psalm 126:2

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there
is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11

You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. Psalm 4:7
4. God prescribes laughter for our well-being:

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed. Proverbs 15:13

5. Sarcasm has its place, but not all laughter is helpful to the human spirit:

And at noon Elijah mocked them, saying, “Cry aloud, for he is a god. Either he is musing, or he is relieving himself, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened.” 1 Kings 18:27

Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. Ephesians 5:4

6. True joy is a choice:

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. Habakkuk 3:18

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Philippians 4:4

As a worship community, we have gone on record to say we want to be a place of safety, pursuing excellence, growing deeper in the things of God. Let’s resolve to also be known as a people of infectious joy, who love what they do and who love to laugh. Let’s serve our Savior with a little more Whoopee!!!

-tad