Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah. So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?” (Genesis 18:11,12 ESV)
Patience
So, Sarah laughed. Laughter exists on a continuum that spreads from derision and mockery on one side, to joy and exaltation on the other.
And somewhere in the middle, I think, is Sarah’s laughter at the repeated promise of childbirth from the Lord. She was tired of making excuses for the Lord. She was tired of hearing His Words, but never seeing any physical proof. She was frustrated that her schemes with Hagar had not born acceptable fruit. She was frustrated that Abraham did not join her in her doubting.
Perhaps she even laughed in a way that was cynical, arrogant, and safe. She had stopped believing, and looked down on those who still might believe.
But she could have laughed with hope. She could have laughed with expectation. She could have laughed with knowledge of God’s grace towards her. She could have laughed, using laughter as God intends laughter to be used.
It would have required patience, when Sarah had understandably run out of patience.
But God was patient enough for both of them. He kept His promises in His time, as He knew all along He would.
And then later Sarah did laugh correctly. In Genesis 21: 6, she laughs in humility and joy, as the promised son, Isaac, was born.
It is not merely our sorrow that He will turn to laughter He also, if we wait on Him, turns our laughter into better laughter.
We are peculiar, God is patient for us, too.