Introductory Thoughts
The Old Testament shows that God’s people (the Jews) repeatedly turned from the Lord and worshipped idols. Because of their sinful ways, they spent a considerable amount of time in captivity. Each time they turned back to God, He was faithful to bring them out of their times of captivity. Today’s passage details one of those times when the people found joy in God’s deliverance. The Bible testifies that their mouths were filled with laughter and their tongues with singing. The heathen took note and said, “The LORD hath done great things for them.” When God did something special for His people, the overflowing emotions turned to laughter. They were grateful to God for His unmerited goodness to them and it was manifested in that their mouths were filled with laughter. Christians should likewise be glad when God pours out His manifold blessings by delivering from physical or spiritual captivity.
Devotional Thoughts
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(For children): Psalm 107:22b tells us to declare his works with rejoicing. Jesus gave His disciples power over many things and they rejoiced in that power. It was good to rejoice over this power, but Jesus told them the best thing to rejoice over was the fact that their names were written in heaven (Luke 10:20b).
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(For everyone): When is the last time you were so grateful for the goodness of God in your life that you rejoiced, perhaps with laughter? How could this effect the world around you?
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Do you at times laugh over things that would displease the Lord and additionally fail to rejoice when God gives you some special blessing? If so, what does this say about your walk with the Lord?
Prayer Thoughts
- Ask the Lord to help you find laughter in the right things.
- Ask God to give you a joy in knowing Him.
Song
HEAVENLY SUNLIGHT
