The heroes of faith listed in Hebrews 11 are referred to as a “great… cloud of witnesses” in the next chapter. These men and women now in heaven are not watching us as we run the race, like people seated in a stadium; the word witnesses does not mean “spectators.” Our English word martyr comes directly from the Greek word translated “witness.” These people are not witnessing what we are doing; rather, they are bearing witness to us that God can see us through. God bore witness to them, and they
are bearing witness to us through the Old Testament. The believer who has to admit, “I rarely read the Old Testament, except for Psalms and Proverbs,” is missing a great deal of spiritual help (see verse for today).

One of the best ways to develop endurance and encouragement is to get to know the godly men and women of the Old Testament who ran the race—and won.

Verse for today: “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Romans 15:4, NIV).

Also read: Hebrews 11:1-2, 4-5, 39; 12:1; 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

Action assignment: If you are having problems with your family, read about Joseph. If you think your job is too big for you, study the life of Moses. If you are tempted to retaliate, see how David handled this problem.