God gives us stories to inspire us to greater faithfulness.

2 I will speak…the things from of old – 3 things we have heard and known and that our fathers have passed down to us. 4 We must not hide them from their children, but must tell a future generation the praises of the Lord, His might, and the wonderful works He has performed…. 6 so that a future generation – children yet to be born – might know…. 7 so that they might put their confidence in God and not forget God’s works, but keep His commands. Psalm 78:2-4, 6-7

By faith Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Abraham, Isaac, Joseph, Moses, Rahab…. Time is too short for me to tell about Gideon, Samuel, and the prophets…. Excerpts from Hebrews 11

Women received their dead back to life, some men were tortured, other mocked and scourged, put in bonds and imprisoned. They were stoned, sawed in two, and died by the sword. They were destitute, afflicted, and mistreated. They wandered in deserts and on mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground. The world was not worthy of them. Excerpts from Hebrews 11

1 Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside very weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, 2 keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfector of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him, endured a cross and despised the same and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne. Hebrews 12:1-3

3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, so that you won’t grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3

17 I am pleased to have Stephanus, Fortunatus, and Achaicus present, because these men have made up for your absence. 18 For they have refreshed my spirit and yours also. Therefore recognize such people. 2 Corinthians 16:17-18