“And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came… and Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh (causing to forget): ‘For God,’ he said, ‘has made me forget all my toil, and all my father’s house.’ And the name of the second he called Ephraim (doubly fruitful): ‘For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.’” – Genesis 41:50-52
For thirteen years Joseph served the Lord faithfully in his captivity and affliction. He endured knowing that captivity was not what God had in store for him. Something bigger than working in fields and prisons was awaiting and he would hope to the end for that which he knew God had promised. And while he gathered grain and prepared for the coming famine, he had two sons which became symbols of his faith.
Affliction doesn’t have to be a time of soul-withering endurance. It’s a time of spiritual strength training – training for reigning. Joseph is such an encouraging example for us. The Lord told us this life is not all there is, that it would be a time of affliction, persecution, and trouble. He did NOT promise easy street or “your best life now.” But He did promise that we can “forget those things which are behind” and press forward to all He has in store. He told us that we can be fruitful, “thirty-fold, sixty-fold, or hundred-fold” in both character and service through our trials. That’s amazing!
If we lose sight that this life is not all there is, we will falter and settle for less than what God has in store. Joseph didn’t take the bait. He stayed faithful, focused, and fruitful, and so can we. Don’t be content to just “endure” these days with gritted teeth, but rather grow, mature, and “add to your faith” for all that is yet to come.
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