Having a fruitful life should be the goal of every Christian. Jesus told us that we should bear fruit: John 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. The process of being a fruit bearing child of God is not an easy, nor enjoyable one at times. Jesus said, in order for us to bear more fruit we must be purged: John 15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
Joseph was a man that trusted in God through some difficult circumstances: He was sold into slavery by his brothers, falsely accused of sexually assaulting his master’s wife, spent time in prison for a crime he didn’t do, forgotten by the Pharaoh’s butler, then he eventually was elevated to the second in command in Egypt. This part of Joseph’s story only covers a few chapters in the Old Testament, but it covered 13 years of Joseph’s life.
Through all his trials he remained faithful to the Lord. He eventually had two sons born to him in Egypt. Genesis 41:51-52 And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father’s house. And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction. (Emphasis added) In the land of his affliction, the Lord made Joseph a fruitful man. He not only had children, but had an influence on the people of Egypt. Genesis 41:38 And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?
I have always maintained that God uses our trials to make us fruitful Christians. Staying faithful to the Lord in the midst of difficult circumstances always has the reward of fruitfulness. We may not become the ruler of a nation, but our impact on the world around us can be great. What ever land of affliction to may be in today, stay faithful, and watch God bring forth fruit out of your life.