Flawed Examples

 When you hear the word hero, what comes to mind? Someone who selflessly and bravely puts their life in harm’s way for another or a favorite sports figure’s photo in a hall of fame? Chapter eleven of Hebrews is God’s “Hall of Fame,” listing heroes of faith, beginning with Abel, followed by Enoch, the Patriarchs, Moses, Joshua, Rahab, and many others. Some distinguished by name (v. 32), many are not, but all marking Bible history with their lives. Though they experienced failures, God recognized men and women for how they lived out their faith, listing them as examples: “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples, and they are written for our admonition . . .” (1 Corinthians 10:11). Paul reminds us in this verse of the Israelites wandering forty years in the wilderness because of their disobedience and lack of faith. We are to learn from their mistakes and ours.

Jesus often taught using parables, easy to relate to stories. You and I have life stories to tell, some flawed and faithless, but they happened for a reason. God carried you through difficulties, temptations, failures, weaknesses, life storms, fears, joys, and triumphs and wants you to share those experiences with others who need to hear of God’s faithfulness. When the Holy Spirit prompts you to speak, trust God as you obediently help and comfort others with the same help and comfort He showed you (2 Corinthians 1:3–4). Will you be viewed in God’s Hall of Fame as a hero of faith?