LET us pray daily for all ministers that they may be true successors of Peter and his brethren, that they may preach the same full and free Gospel which they preached, and live the same holy lives which they lived. These are the only ministers who will ever prove successful fishermen.
To some of them God may give more honour, and to others less. But all true and faithful preachers of the Gospel have a right to believe that their labour shall not prove in vain. They may often preach the Word with many tears, and see no result of their labour. But God’s word shall not return void, Isaiah 55:11. “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void.” The last day shall show that no work for God was ever thrown away. Every faithful fisherman shall find his Master’s words made good: “Thou shalt catch men.”
From Expository Thoughts on the Gospels by J. C. Ryle