Because their story of faith is written in the Bible, they speak to us today—even though they died ages ago. Those who read their testimony today will be encouraged to continue in that same faith. In their lives you see how God dealt with his people and made them faithful. Those believers always refer to God and prove in their lives that God can truly always be trusted.
They were not super-believers or great heroes, but ordinary people like us, who want to serve God through trial and error (think of David, for example). They were—like us—not perfect, but fell in error; however, God’s great mercy was their secret. In Hebrews 11:1–40 we do not see a sports gala of famous people and big names with medals. The emphasis is on the strength and faithfulness that God gave in ordinary people. This enabled them to persevere even in times of crisis. How important it is to read Bible history that way! Reading the Scriptures encourages us to persevere (see Romans 15:4–5, twice hupomonè: endurance).
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,