Psalm 126:1-2 "When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter and our tongue with singing: Then said they among the heathen, the Lord has done great things for them."

There is incredible power in laughter. God laughs! I love to laugh, and I laugh loud, ask my family and friends (LOL!). My dog Benny is an endless source of my laughter, he brings me such great joy. The other day he was sitting on the chair next to where my wife Natalie was sitting. She was busy with something and didn't really notice that he was licking her iPhone. Then she heard a woman's voice saying, "Marino's, pick up or delivery?". He dialed the phone with his tongue. He was ordering a pizza! He's a genius!

Today's verse describes the recipe for laughter - when and then. "WHEN the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream". The "when" took place on the cross, when Jesus turned our spiritual captivity into indescribable freedom. It was like a dream. This is the gospel of grace.

“THEN was our mouth filled with laughter and our tongue with singing". This is our response to the gospel of grace, nothing else but laughter and joy. This is the sense and meaning of grace. Why? We have redemption and deliverance from sin, unmerited favor, triumph and victory over Satan and the power of darkness, eternal life, and a loving Father who has provided for our every need!

"THEN said they among the heathen, the Lord has done great things for them". In other words, "Wow!" This is the world's response when they see your laughter and joy in the midst of life's greatest challenges and victories (Job 5:22) (Gal 5:22). Grace gets the attention of those around you.