WHILE  THE  WORLD  LAUGHS . . .

 

Yes, the world laughs at us, the people who have a strong faith in Jesus Christ.  Ridicule is never far away from those who live close to the Cross.  But the awesome reality is that we have found a truth so profound, so unique, that even the jeers of the world cannot deter us from following our precious Saviour.  How relevant and accurate for today’s world are the encouraging words in 1 Corinthians chapter 1.  Look at verses 18 and 21 . . .  

“For the message about Christ’s death on the cross is nonsense to those who are being lost; but for us who are being saved it is God’s power” (Good News Bible).  

“Since the world in all its fancy wisdom never had a clue when it came to knowing God, God in His wisdom took delight in using what the world considered dumb -- preaching, of all things! -- to bring those who trust Him into the way of salvation” (The Message).

  • The world laughed at Noah as he obeyed the word of the Lord and built the ark.

  • The world laughed at Abraham when he announced he and Sarah would produce a son, Isaac, in their old age.

  • Goliath ridiculed young David when he stepped forward to take on the challenge of the loud-mouthed giant.

  • The religious people ridiculed Jesus when He professed to be the Son of God, their prophesied Messiah.

  • The religious people ridiculed Lazarus, planning to kill him because his resurrection from the dead had caused many Jews to follow Jesus (John 12:10-11).

These are but a few Biblical examples of mocking, ridicule and persecution, but, in every case, the believer had found Someone and something too wonderful to even think of abandoning their faith in God.  Yes, the wisdom of God is so much higher and greater than the wisdom of man.

  • When the world laughs, know that it is only because their level of wisdom cannot comprehend an all-knowing, all-sufficient, unseen Mighty God, whose very presence fills the whole earth.

  • When the world laughs it is only because at this point they have not as yet received their “bill” for the sin of unbelief.

  • When the world laughs, know that one day soon its laugh will become silent as they stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ!

If those who know not the Lord are making judgment calls on you, LOOK UP. “The joy of the Lord is our strength” (Nehemiah 8:10) and, as we hide God’s Word deep within our hearts, that strength is the very thing that will carry us through every circumstance in life to stand before a Holy God at His appointed time.

If those who know not the Lord are making fun of your faith, PRAY FOR THEM, LOVE THEM AND SHOW THEM THERE IS A BETTER WAY.  We do not have to act like the world, mocking those who hold to a different persuasion.  No!  Let the light of the precious One who lives within us, Jesus Christ, shine gloriously through us, penetrating into the very darkness that holds them captive.  Jesus said, “You are the light of the world; a city (light) set on a hill cannot be hid” (Matthew 5:14).  How brightly is your light shining, or are the lights out in your city?

“For the LORD is a mighty God, a mighty King over all the gods.  
He rules over the whole earth, from the deepest caves to the highest hills. 
 He rules over the sea, which He made; the land also, which He Himself formed. 
Come, let us bow down and worship Him. 
Let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker! 
He is our God; we are the people 
He cares for, the flock for which He provides.” (Psalm 95:3-7)

 

- Joan Emery