| “The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me. The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well” (II Timothy 1:16-18).
Here is a man who, as far as we know, never preached a sermon, wrote an epistle, or sang an anthem. He was quiet in his efforts, unassuming in ministering in his love to the lonely Paul, reaching out in grace to a great missionary statesman by the name of Paul. Onesiphorus refreshed Paul in every possible way that he could. He was the object of Paul’s intercession and doubtless will receive a great reward in heaven for his love and kindness shown to Paul. When we look into the field of Christianity there are many who want to be refreshed but few Christians who are refreshers. Being refreshed is much easier than being a refresher. This is probably the reason Jesus so sadly lamented, “…The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest” (Luke 10:2). The great God of glory never forgets those who serve Him and who serve and refresh others. The true refreshers will shine in glory and will receive a great reward. Unknown on earth in many ways but known in heaven. “For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister” (Hebrews 6:10). Who we are is more important to God than what we do. |