God Has Made Me Laugh

God Has Made Me Laugh (Genesis 21:1-7) *All verses in NKJV*

Genesis 21:1-7, And the Lord visited Sarah as He had said, and the Lord did for Sarah as He had spoken. 2 For Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him. 3 And Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him—whom Sarah bore to him—Isaac. 4 Then Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him. 5 Now Abraham was one hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. 6 And Sarah said, “God has made me laugh, and all who hear will laugh with me.” 7 She also said, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? For I have borne him a son in his old age.”

– We have been preaching through the book of Genesis on Wednesday nights, and we have talked a lot about Abraham’s faithfulness and believing by faith that God will keep His promises.

– Abraham was 75 when God told him of this son, 25 years later, against all odds and reason, now the promise has been fulfilled… Abraham’s response is to be obedient to what God commanded.

– Tonight I want to focus on Sarah’s reaction, and how that relates to our lives as we walk by faith in God’s promises. 

– Sarah has Joy in the fulfillment of the promise, but can we also have joy in the waiting, joy in the struggle, and joy while we seek God in finding what is next for our lives? I think we can!

1. Sarah has joy in the promise fulfilled.

– The name Isaac literally means “laughter”. In v6, Sarah says, “God has made laughter for me…”

– Gen. 17:17, Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, “Shall a child be born to a man who is one hundred years old? And shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?” 

– This is the same Hebrew word in our scripture today: It is better interpreted as a joyous laugh, one of amazement, not of disbelief. One of rejoicing in something so great that only God could do it! 

– Sarah birthed a promise from God that seemed impossible… Reminds me of FVC.

Example: FVC, birthed from a promise God placed inside Pastor Matt and Pastor Crystal, against the odds, no way to see how it was going to go, a journey of faith and sacrifice…

– Along the way we felt like giving up, weathered discouragement, etc…

– But we had faith in the promise, faith in the Pastors, believing if God said it, He would do it!

– Now we look at FVC with JOY and amazement! Such a blessing! Look what God has done!

(Legacy Night coming Friday September 11th)

– Luke 1:37, For with God nothing will be impossible.”

– Sometimes Joy is easy in the aftermath, but I want to have joy in the struggling and the waiting.  Q: How did I walk through it?  Faith is built in enduring and struggle, not in the victory!

– James 1:2-4, My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

– Psalm 27:14, Wait (in faith) on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!

2. Worry is the thief of Joy.

– I have said it before, feelings are natural, and it is hard to control how you feel, and some people have legit reasons to want to feel worried, so don’t be hard on yourself about it… BUT we don’t have to feel that way, we don’t have to give into it, and it kills our JOY!

– Example: Compare it to something else, like Alcoholism…

– Alcoholism is a disease that changes your brain chemistry. You can be genetically predisposed to get it.

– Alcoholism profoundly alters brain structure, chemistry, and function, affecting memory, decision-making, emotional regulation, and increasing the risk of long-term cognitive decline.

– You would NEVER tell someone give into a drink because it is their natural propensity!

– Example: Trauma rewires the brain. PTSD is tough to manage…

– It can set you on the course of hyper-vigilance, anxiety, leading to isolation…

– Just because it is a struggle, doesn’t mean you have to give up and live that way! FIGHT!

– Why is it okay to WORRY then?! It may be natural, it may be your predisposition, but it is harmful to our body and soul, and a huge distraction to the great things God is doing! 

– It may not be as obvious to the world, but it is the silent killer of your joy. Don’t ignore it.

– The English word “worry” comes from the German word which means “to strangle, to choke.”

– Reminds me or the parable of the sower… Mark 4:16-17, These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 17 and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble.

– The worries of this world will get us spiritually strangled.

*Not fake joy…, not shaming those who are feeling it, that is isolating… Supporting each other!

*Not a culture that pretends, but one that is honest about it, and we can pray together…

– Worry forces us to focus on the things that are wrong. Rejoicing makes us focus on what is good…

– What are your prayers like? “Don’t let XYZ happen to me…” (focused on negative)? Or “God, bring me peace and comfort, healing, etc…” (focus on positive)?

– Phil 4:4-7, Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

3. Laugher is good medicine.

– Laughter triggers a cascade of physiological effects that benefit the body. It reduces stress hormones like cortisol, stimulates the release of endorphins (the body’s natural painkillers), and increases dopamine and serotonin, which enhances mood and emotional stability.

– Laughter strengthens emotional resilience. It helps release anger, reduces anxiety and depression, and fosters a sense of joy and personal satisfaction. Social laughter enhances connections with others, promoting empathy, trust, and stronger relationships.

– God has designed us to operate well in Joy, not by worrying…

– Proverbs 17:22, A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.

– Sarah laughed, God named their child “Laughter”, because our joy is found in the Lord.

– Romans 5:1-4, Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

– I’m not talking about false joy, I’m talking about resetting your level to focusing of Jesus as your source, not the outcomes of your circumstances… because God is Sovern. 

– Looking back on how you walked through your trial… will you be found faithful and joyful, or complaining and impatient? How do you want to look back on your faith journey?

– Romans 15:13, Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

– Psalm 51:12, Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.

– Isaiah 61:10, I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation,

– Remember that your joy isn’t in the promise being fulfilled, it is in the all-powerful God who always keeps His promises!

– prayer –