Your Reward

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:3-12 ESV). An old missionary couple had been working in Africa for many years and was returning to New York City to retire. They had no pension, their health was broken, and they were feeling defeated, discouraged and afraid. They discovered they had been booked on the same ship as President Teddy Roosevelt, who was returning from one of his big-game hunting expeditions. No one paid any attention to them. They watched the fanfare that accompanied the president’s entourage, with passengers and crew alike trying to catch a glimpse of the great man. As the ship moved across the ocean, the old missionary said to his wife, “Something is wrong. Why should we have given our lives in faithful service to God in Africa all these years and have no one care a thing about us? Here this man comes back from a hunting trip and everyone makes much over him, but no one gives two hoots about us.” “Dear,” his wife said, “you shouldn’t feel that way. “I can’t help it. It just doesn’t seem right,” answered the missionary. When the ship docked in New York, a band was waiting to greet the president. The mayor and other dignitaries were there. The newspapers were full of stories about the president’s arrival, but no one noticed the missionary couple. They slipped off the ship and found a cheap flat on the East Side, hoping the next day to see what they could do to make a living in the city. That night the man’s spirit broke. He said to his wife, “I can’t take this anymore. God is not treating us fairly.” His wife wisely replied, “Why don’t you go into the bedroom and pray about it for a little while?” A little while later he came out of the bedroom. Now, however, his face was completely changed. His wife asked, “Dear, what happened?” “The Lord settled it with me,” he said. “I told Him how bitter I was that the president received this tremendous homecoming, and no one met us when we returned home. And when I was finished, it seemed as if the Lord put His hand on my shoulder and simply said, ‘But you’re not home yet.’” None of us who claim the name of Jesus are home yet either! Do not become weary in your well doing. Remain faithful. Your reward awaits you in heaven!