Sarah said, "God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me." Genesis 21:6
It was far above the power of nature, and even contrary to its laws, that the aged Sarah should be honoured with a son; and more so it is beyond all ordinary rules that I, a poor, helpless, undone sinner, should find the grace of God to bear about, in my soul, the indwelling Spirit of the Lord Jesus. I, who once despaired for my nature was as dry, and withered, and barren, and accursed as a howling wilderness, even I have been made to bring forth fruit leading unto holiness. My mouth may be richly filled with joyous laughter, because of the singular, surprising grace which I have received of the Lord, for I have found Jesus, the promised seed, and he is mine forever. This day will I lift up psalms of triumph to the Lord who has remembered my low estate, for “my heart rejoices in the Lord, my horn is exalted in the Lord: my mouth is enlarged over my enemies; because I rejoice in your salvation.”
I would have all those that hear of my great deliverance from hell, and my most blessed visitation from heaven, laugh for joy with me. I would surprise my family with my abundant peace; I would delight my friends with my ever-increasing happiness; I would edify the Church with my grateful confessions; and even impress the world with the cheerfulness of my daily conversation. John Bunyan in Pilgrim's Progress tells us that Mercy laughed in her sleep which is no wonder since she dreamed of Jesus; my joy shall not stop short of hers while my Beloved is the theme of my daily thoughts. The Lord Jesus is a deep sea of joy: my soul shall dive in and be swallowed up in the delights of his society. Sarah looked at her Isaac, and laughed with ecstasy, and all her friends laughed with her; and you, my soul, look at your Lord Jesus, and bid heaven and earth unite in joy unspeakable.
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