O MOST blessed and eternal Jesus, the
great Physician of souls, the Sun of Right-
eousness arising with healing in Thy wings,
who disposest all things great and little to
the glory of God, and the comfort of them
that love and serve Him; be pleased to bless
the ministry of Thy servant in order to mine
ease and health; excite his skill, direct his
judgment, prosper the medicines, and dis-
pose the changes of my sickness fortunately,
that I may feel the blessing and loving-kind-
ness of the Lord in the ease or prevention
of pain, and the restitution of health; and
being restored to the society of the living,
and to Thy solemn assemblies, I may praise
Thee and Thy goodness secretly among the
faithful, and in the congregation of the re-
deemed ones, here in the outer courts of the
Lord, and hereafter in Thine eternal temple
in heaven. Amen.
The Scripture promises rewards for our service as a motivation for faithful ministry. And for the Christian, at least, this promise is true and guaranteed regardless of the apparent success or rewards received here in time. Sometimes it appears that doing what is right goes without obvious blessing or reward. Faithful service may not lead to recognition, a promotion, or the raise one counted on – maybe not even a thank you. And often, faithfulness, especially when it is to Christ and biblical principles, can lead to persecution. But as Christians we must never allow the absence of immediate reward or blessing to deter us from steadfast faithfulness… The promise of Scripture is that if we continue to be faithful to the Lord, we will eventually receive rewards for our efforts. If not in this life, definitely in the life to come (1 Cor. 15:58).
J. Hampton Keathley