A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity. The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them; but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming. Ps. 37:10–13
Dear heavenly Father, what a remarkable and comforting image, “the Lord laughs at the wicked.” Laughter is not one of the things I grew up associating with you. Omnipotence, omniscience, and the other “Omni’s”, yes—but not felicity and laughter. I praise you that the gospel continues to expose, deconstruct, and replace all kinds of groundless notions I’ve had about you. Nothing has a greater effect on our lives than how we think about you in our hearts.
Father, we very much look forward to the day when we will hear your unrestrained laugher, for that will be the day when all evil, wickedness, and injustice will be eradicated. It’s hard to conceive of a universe, a nation, a city, a relationship—even one heart, my heart—in which every semblance of sin, darkness and brokenness is gone. But that day is coming, and we praise you that on that day we will “inherit the land and enjoy great peace.” What a generous Father you are and what a magnificent future you have planned for your children!
We dare call you Father only because of what Jesus has done for us. Indeed, it’s only because Jesus went to the cross in the meekness of a Lamb, we can look forward with certainty to an inheritance “that can never perish, spoil or fade, kept in heaven” for us (1 Pet. 1:4). It’s the completeness of his meekness, not ours, in which we trust.
We only wish the “little while” we have to wait would be shortened significantly. But you are the God who does all things well. We know this to be true, and whenever we doubt it, center us in the gospel once again. Bring us back to the humility appropriate for those who are destined to inherit the new heaven and new earth—the home of eternal righteousness, peace and joy.
So when wicked plots and gnashing teeth seem to be on the increase and righteousness seems to be on the decrease, let us hear the sound of your laughter emanating in the gospel of the kingdom. Father, may your joy be our strength, your promise be our confidence, and your timing be our schedule. May your great love for us in Jesus, compel and propel us into greater expressions of missional living and loving until the Day. So very Amen we pray in Jesus’ trustworthy and triumphant name.
