Friday Evening Devotional

 

Being Fruitful on a Tight Budget

Larry Mancini 

 

"God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering."

                                                                   (Genesis 41.52)

Many people believe that to be spiritually fruitful, conditions must be perfect. It is true in the natural world. One summer I had a large number of baby fish in the pond in my backyard. I scooped up some in a net and took them to the local pet store to sell. Immediately the lady who saw them said, "Ah, baby goldfish!" Then she went onto say, "Your pond must be in perfect condition, because they don't reproduce in anything less than a perfect environment."

Our spiritual lives are not like that. In the most adverse situations God can make us abundantly fruitful. Take the hymns of the church, for example. The hymn writers many times were going through unspeakable pain when out of their innermost beings came the words of some of our favorite songs. Many souls have had their thirst quenched by these streams of blessing.

 

My grandmother, now with Jesus, battled several major diseases throughout her life, making her weak in body. She did what she could. She had a quiet ministry of writing letters to people all over the world, encouraging them. On a limited income, she would often "recycle" the envelopes she received by steaming them and turning them inside out. Many told of the strength God gave them through her writings. I still carry in my briefcase the last letter she wrote to me. She could say along with Joseph, "God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering."

 

Don't dwell on your pain, frustrations or difficulties. Look up to heaven. There is One there who knows your every need. Let Him turn your troubles into triumphs.

 

Lord, sometimes it is difficult to think about spiritual things when I don’t feel well. Sometimes I am too weak physically or emotionally to exercise very much faith. In those times you seem distant and aloof. Forgive me for thinking that, because I know better. I know you are as close to me when I am hurting as when I feel strong and alive. At this moment I feel you are far from me. Please let something happen that will re-direct my thinking. I am waiting prayerfully right now for you to fulfill your promise to make me be fruitful no matter the circumstances. In your strong name I voice this prayer. Amen.