Morning
Time: 2:52 AM PST
"And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear 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 even so it is beyond all ordinary
rules that I, a poor, helpless, undone sinner, should find grace to bear about
in my soul the indwelling Spirit of the Lord Jesus. I, who once despaired, as
well I might, 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 unto
holiness. Well may my mouth be 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 for ever. This day will I lift up
psalms of triumph unto the Lord who has remembered my low estate, for "my heart
rejoiceth in the Lord; mine horn is exalted in the Lord; my mouth is enlarged
over mine enemies, because I rejoice in Thy salvation."
I would have all those that hear of my great deliverance from hell, and my
most blessed visitation from on high, 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. Bunyan tells us that Mercy laughed in her sleep, and no wonder
when 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 therein, shall be swallowed up in the delights of His society. Sarah
looked on her Isaac, and laughed with excess of rapture, and all her friends
laughed with her; and thou, my soul, look on thy Jesus, and bid heaven and earth
unite in thy joy unspeakable.