Solomon tells us that “a happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing” (Proverbs 17:22, AMP ). God undoubtedly has a sense of humor; we need only look at some of the animals He created (it’s hard not to smile at the sight of a hippo, a monkey, or a puppy). Or think of some of the married couples you know: don’t you think God was smiling at the wedding as He looked ahead to the interaction of the wildly different personalities that will be living together?
In a meditation titled “Great Answers from a Great God,” Martin Luther comments on the meeting of Jacob and Esau (Genesis 33:4). Jacob had prayed simply — and desperately — for protection from his brother, but he received hugs, kisses, and tears. Luther writes, “Jacob’s anguished prayer accomplished more than he dared to ask.” He continues:
Our prayers are answered much differently — actually more generously — than we could ever ask for or imagine (Ephesians 3:20)…. We always ask for less than we should and don’t even think God is willing to give us what we ask for. We don’t ask the right way. We don’t understand that what we pray about is more important than we can comprehend. We think small, but the Lord is great and powerful. He expects us to ask for great things. He wants to give them to us to demonstrate His almighty power.
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Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version ®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.