Have you ever read a story in the Bible, and out of the whole story or chapter, it’s one verse that impacts you? For example, as I read Genesis 41, it was not until verse 52 that I was reminded of the times my suffering produced fruitfulness. You see, Genesis starts off with Joseph as a “forgotten Hebrew prison slave” but ends with him being “the second most powerful man in Egypt.” This is why he names his two sons Manasseh which means “he that causes to forget,” and Ephraim meaning “being fruitful.” Scripture tells us that Joseph names his sons this because (1) ”God has made me forget all my trouble…” and (2) “God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.” Joseph’s story of how God made him fruitful in his suffering reminded me of the times God did the same for me. First, I thought my marriage was over, and when my dad passed away. Those two events were the most challenging things that I have ever gone through, but they were the two things that I gained so much from. In the process of feeling abandoned by my husband, I felt the love of God like never before. And in the process of holding my dad’s hand as he took his last breath, I experienced God's comfort, strength, and peace in such a way that it is indescribable. So I do not know what you’re going through, will go through, or have gone through. But I just want to encourage you and remind you that you that God is with you and will turn any and every affliction to fruitfulness just as He did with Joseph.
Prayer:
God, thank you for our trials and tribulation, for they produce perseverance, character, hope, and glory. Draw me closer to you and a deeper intimacy with you. Enable me to have a deeper understanding of your comfort, help, mercy, strength, love, and peace in my time of need. And as I look at past affliction, may you even now bear fruit through it. I pray for the things I will walk through in the days ahead and for future afflictions. I trust and believe that you will, are, and have worked all things together for my good, for your honor and glory. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.
Worship song: