God of the Valleys

Joseph of the Old Testament was someone who experienced many valleys in his life. He was thrown into a pit by his brothers and sold into slavery. Later Potiphar's wife tried to seduce him, and then he was thrown into prison (Genesis 37:24; 39:7-23 NKJV). But God was faithful to Joseph in his hard times. When Joseph interpreted Pharaoh's dreams, he released him and made him administrator over all of Egypt! 

Joseph could have gotten egotistical in his high government position, but he didn't. He knew the Lord of the valleys had turned his suffering into fruitfulness. Joseph named one of his sons Ephraim, meaning fruitful in suffering, in recognition of what God had done in his life. 

Later, Joseph's father, Jacob, prophesied over him, saying, "Joseph is a fruitful bough...by a well; his branches run over the wall" (Genesis 49:22). Because he let God be real in his valleys, Joseph was blessed, and his branches ran over the wall to bless others as well. God saved his family and generations later through them brought forth the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

The story of Joseph can help us learn an important lesson: Life is full of ups and downs, but God can make us fruitful in our valley times. When we let God be God of the hills-the good times-and God of the valleys-the low times-not only are we blessed, but we become a fruitful bough that grows and blesses others as well.