The Soil of Suffering

“God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.”   Genesis 41:52

“Sir, you have another son.”  Joseph smiled and settled back to catch his breath.  The speed of life was moving faster than he could have ever imagined.  One moment he had been in prison. The next he stood in Pharaoh’s court, interpreting a royal nightmare.  Seven years of feast would be followed by seven years of famine, and Egypt better be ready.  Pharaoh knew a good (and Godly) man when he saw one, so Joseph had been appointed Prime Minister to prepare for the coming catastrophe.

With the position came a nice wardrobe, new wheels, and a wife.  God added to the bounty by blessing the couple with two baby boys.  Little Manasseh arrived first, helping Joseph forget his past troubles as he focused on his precious family.   And now, today, Asenath had given birth to a second son.

Joseph named the baby Ephraim, which means “twice fruitful” in Hebrew, and said, “It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering”(Gen 41:52).  Egypt had been a place of pain for Joseph.  The hurt of betrayal had been layered with the indignity of slavery, the struggle of temptation, and the sting of injustice.  The consequences of others’ choices had caused him years of grief, and he had suffered much for their sins.  

Yet, right there, in Egypt, in the place of Joseph’s pain, God made him fruitful. The squirming newborn in his arms was a loud and clear reminder that God delights in reshaping and refilling broken hearts.

Just because you’re down doesn’t mean you’re out.  Your place of anguish can become your place of abundance, for God’s grace grows best in the soil of suffering. 

Let Him fix you up, fill you up, and make you fruitful.

Right where you are.