…the meadows clothe themselves with flocks, the valleys deck themselves with grain, they shout and sing together for joy. (Psalm 65:13 ESV)
Shout for Joy
Shouting for joy is not exactly laughter, but it is close enough, yes? This verse describes meadows and valleys actually shouting for joy… or laughing.
This is not an uncommon picture. The hymn, “This Is My Father’s World” mentions all nature singing. Other Biblical verses mention creation responding to God with song and joyful shout. Psalm 96:12, for instance: let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy!
The reasons that such inanimate things can display joy is not because of some New Age Spiritism. But rather, because God’s real presence even causes things, objects, fields, and flowers to laugh! In some way, those things know their creator, and respond to His presence with unabashed enthusiasm.
We, on the other hand, are often cynics. When God gives us reason to rejoice, we are skeptical. Was it really Him? Will the good continue? Is it as good as it seems?
The fields and trees believe it. We can, too!
Jesus points out the connection when some nay-sayers demanded He silence crowds that seemed over-enthusiastic in response to the presence of the Messiah. He said that if the people stopped crying out, the very stones would have the same response. (Luke 19:40)
Sing like a field! Laugh like a tree! Rejoice like creation!