# 398 Blessing From Affliction

The Book of Genesis

Day 398

Ge 41:52 And the name of the second he called Ephraim: "For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction."

Here is still another great name that is a sermon unto itself! Joseph’s second son is named Ephraim. Why? Because God has caused Joseph to be “fruitful in the land of his affliction!” Out of his affliction came blessing. This is a great spiritual truth. By remaining faithful to God during his years of tribulation, God produced great fruit in the life of Joseph.

Understand this: As a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, afflictions, trials, and tribulation will come your way! Ps 34:19 says, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all.” The trick for you and I is to persevere! And it helps if we cling to this promise: Ps 30:5b, “Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.”

Endured afflictions produce fruit! Heb 12:11 says, “Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” Joseph had been trained by his afflictions. He had endured the hatred of siblings, the unjust charges of Potiphar, the forgetfulness of the butler, etc and now he has come out on the other side blessed! So he names his son Ephraim! Joseph is now enjoying the fruit of righteousness called peace.  The peace that comes from knowing God is in charge and has been in charge all along! 2Co 4:17 reminds us: “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,”

Think about your present affliction. Isn’t it like the greatest weight you have ever felt in your life? Doesn’t it seem like it is squeezing you from all sides? Hang in there! Persevere! Let God work in that affliction to cause you to bear fruit as He did for Joseph. Meditate on this passage in Corinthians because it tells you that your deepest trial is like a feather compared to the eternal weight of glory that awaits all who persevere! May your meditation bring you the peace that passes all understanding!