Richard Baxter

Richard Baxter, the great Puritan who wrote such works as The Reformed Pastor and The Saint's Everlasting Rest, was a frail invalid for most of his life. What kept him going in life and performing spectacular duties for Christ? His secret was simple: each day he would spend a half hour meditating on the life to come, therefore, putting at the forefront of his day the glory that awaited him. J. I. Packer comments on Baxter's practice: "Diligent cultivation of hope gave him daily doggedness in disciplined hard work for God, despite the debilitating effect each day of his sick body." One of the reasons Baxter was a good worker in the vineyard for Christ despite his sickness was because he looked to the celestial city; his eyes were upon the heavenly city, the city with foundations.

D. L. Moody put it this way: " Take courage. We walk in the wilderness today and in the Promised Land tomorrow."