The Heroes of the Faith at a Glance

The

Heroes Faith of the

at a Glance

A quick guide to the Heroes of Faith in the Bible

From

Faith IS CONFIDENCE IN WHAT WE

hope for AND

ASSURANCE ABOUT WHAT WE

do not see. Hebrews 11:1

INTRODUCTION

Perhaps one of the hardest things about the Christian life is the fact that we cannot see most of it. God’s presence is everywhere, but we can’t see Him. His kingdom reigns, but we can’t see His throne. We can’t see wisdom, heaven, eternity, the spiritual realm . . . Following Jesus would be so much easier if we simply saw the world as God sees it. That’s why we need faith. “Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (HEBREWS 11:1). Faith is like spiritual sight. It is not wishful thinking; it is knowing what is true in the unseen realms—and living accordingly. But how do we ensure we look at the world and our own lives with spiritual sight, and not just physical sight? The Apostle Paul wrote that “the Holy Scriptures are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2 TIMOTHY 3:15). The Bible is like a window through which we do ‘see’ God, His kingdom, His ways, His story and His salvation. This is where our spiritual eyes are opened and trained to see by faith. One of the best ways to grow our faith is to spend time reading about others who lived on earth by faith—and the Bible is full of them! These short introductions to some of the Bible’s heroes of the faith are like little launch pads into their stories. They’ll help you know where to find them in Scripture, what to expect, what to look for and why they are so important. With this handy guide, these people will become more than names— they’ll become living, breathing life-lessons. The men and women of faith that make up the story of Scripture are all flawed human beings. Their feats of heroism are mixed in with some shocking failures. But that’s what makes them so inspiring! If they can live by faith, then we can too.

Scriptures taken from Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. © 2022 by Our Daily Bread Ministries®. All rights reserved. Printed in the UK. For information on our resources, visit odb.org

CONTENTS OLD TESTAMENT

Abel ��4 Enoch ��5 Noah ��6 Abraham ��7 Isaac ��8 Jacob ��9 Joseph �� 10 Moses’ Parents �� 11 Moses �� 12 Caleb �� 13 Joshua �� 14 Rahab �� 15 Gideon �� 16 Samson �� 17 Ruth �� 18 Hannah �� 19 Samuel �� 20 David �� 21 Elijah �� 22 Ezra �� 23

Nehemiah �� 24 Esther �� 25 Job �� 26 Isaiah �� 27 Jeremiah �� 28 Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego �� 29 Daniel �� 30 NEW TESTAMENT

Joseph �� 31 Mary �� 32 John the Baptist �� 33 The Centurion �� 34 Peter �� 35 The Gentile Woman �� 36 The Paralytic’s Friends �� 37 The Sinful Woman �� 38 The Woman at the Well �� 39 Paul �� 40

Abel

The first martyr

Sometimes it feels like our lives have never been more on display. With so many social media platforms, there’s an expectation that we share everything about who we are, what makes us tick and what we’re doing with our lives. But how easy is it to be the real you, when you know you’ll get a negative reaction? Abel was a man of faith. He loved and trusted God, and so when he brought a sacrifice, the Lord accepted him and his offering. But Cain, his brother who didn’t have faith, was not accepted by God when he brought his sacrifice. Cain was furious. God’s warning against him, coupled with Abel’s display of genuine devotion, led to a huge overreaction. Cain murdered Abel. It seems that Abel’s life and actions were motivated by faith because he understood that a right relationship with God is the most important thing any of us can ever have. Yet being right with God doesn’t always mean we’ll be right with others. Abel lived his faith out all the same, despite the deadly reaction it got, because faith makes us right with God.

Genesis 4:1-8; Matthew 23:33-36; Hebrews 11:4

Enoch

A man who never died

The Bible has a lot to say about walking through life with God. But there’s one man who seemed to walk with Him right into eternity! Enoch was Adam’s great-great-great-great grandson. We don’t get told a lot of his story (especially considering he lived for 365 years!). But we do know he walked faithfully with God, enjoying ‘doing life’ with His Lord. The New Testament book of Jude tells us he even received prophetic visions of what God would do hundreds and thousands of years in the future. In fact, it seems the blessing of their close relationship was entirely mutual. God was pleased with Enoch. And instead of Enoch dying like normal humans, God simply “took him away!” Although we will probably experience earthly death, Enoch’s example holds the promise echoed throughout the Bible that those who walk with God by faith never truly die. We belong to an eternal kingdom where all God’s precious people of faith will dwell with Him forever. Enoch may have a unique story, but what he reveals about faith applies to us all: faith truly pleases God.

Genesis 5:18-24; Hebrews 11:5; Jude 1:14-16

Noah

The man who built a massive boat on dry land

What does it look like to live for God in a world that doesn’t care about Him? For Noah, it meant building an enormous boat on dry land and warning others about a coming flood. Nothing in his experience could prepare him for the total devastation that was about to occur. He didn’t see storm clouds brewing or hear the distant rumble of thunder. But still he spent his days labouring to build a costly and seemingly unnecessary ark—because he believed in what God had said. People probably thought the old man was out of his mind; but in fact, Noah was the only man on earth that could see the world as it really was. He saw it by faith. His faith in God led to action, and his actions provided a way of escape to anyone who would come. Jesus warned us that when He returns, it will be just like in Noah’s day. People will be carrying on as normal, totally unaware that they need salvation. Just like Noah couldn’t see any storm clouds forming, we cannot see any physical evidence of Jesus’ return right now. But we know He’s coming because He has told us in His Word. And just like Noah, we can prepare ourselves and warn others, encouraging them that faith leads to salvation. 6

Genesis 6-9; Matthew 24:36-39; Hebrews 11:7; 1 Peter 1:20-22; 2 Peter 2:4-9

Abraham

The man who passed the ultimate test

What would be the hardest thing for you to give up? For Abraham it was his son Isaac, promised by God and miraculously given when it was physically impossible. This was the heir God had promised! But then God said: “Give him to me.” Could you give up that special person or dream—the one thing you couldn’t imagine being without? Abraham couldn’t fully understand what God was asking him to do. It made no sense to sacrifice the son he loved— the son God had provided. Still, he took Isaac on the long trek up the mountain, loaded up with wood to make an altar. How could Abraham do such a thing? In faith Abraham knew one key truth: God always keeps His promises, even if it looks like the opposite is happening. God had promised to bring forth a nation from Isaac, so Abraham figured that—somehow—God would still fulfil that promise, despite the apparent death they were walking towards. The Lord doesn’t always explain what He’s doing or why He’s doing it. But Abraham’s faithful trek up the mountain with his son shows that faith enables us to obey God, even when things don’t make sense.

Genesis 15; 18:1-15; 22; Hebrews 11:17-19

Isaac

The father who saw God’s hand at work in his biggest mistake

Have you ever made a mistake so big you thought you had ruined everything? That’s what Isaac thought when he realised he’d given his blessing to the wrong son! Jacob had taken advantage of Isaac’s blindness. He pretended to be his older brother Esau, tricking his dad into giving him the firstborn son’s blessing; something that could not be undone. What shame and failure for Isaac! Had he doomed his family and spoiled God’s plans for Abraham’s descendants? Esau urged his father to bless him, too. But rather than trying to undo his mistake, Isaac understood that his words about Jacob really were for Jacob. It had not been what Isaac intended, but it seems he also knew by faith that God had allowed this mix-up for His own purposes. The Bible promises that “in all things (including our failures) God works for the good of those who love him.” In faith, Isaac didn’t wallow in regret or despair, but trusted God to use what had happened to further His plans. When we make mistakes that threaten to overwhelm us, Isaac shows us that faith trusts God to use and redefine our failures; nothing is wasted with Him.

Genesis 27-28; Hebrews 11:20

Jacob

The trickster who learned the power of being weak

Fight or flight. That’s how most of us respond to difficult situations. We either want to stand our ground, or we want to run away and hide. Jacob was definitely a flight guy. He had been on the run from his brother for twenty years, until God stopped him by wrenching his hip out of its joint. Now there would be no more running for Jacob; he had lost his only strength. In his weakness he was left with one choice: stop running and trust God. It was a decision which changed his life. When he was elderly and blind, the last lesson Jacob imparted to his family was all about strength and weakness. He knew that God loves to empower the weak, to bless the youngest, to embolden the fearful, to make wise the foolish. Our final glimpse of Jacob finds him worshipping God and leaning on his staff, weak from old age and his wrenched hip. He worshipped in weakness, because all the strength he would ever need was found in His Lord. Spend time with Jacob and discover how faith embraces weakness so that we can trust God instead of ourselves.

Genesis 32; 46-49; Hebrews 11:21

Joseph

The ruler who used his power to save his enemies

Joseph was the second most powerful man in Egypt—and before him trembled his brothers who had brutally betrayed him years before. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take revenge . . . But he didn’t. Instead, Joseph used his position and power to show kindness to his brothers and provide for their families. Joseph shared God’s heart of compassion and mercy; and His desire to bring salvation. He initiated a reconciliation with his brothers so he could have a real relationship with them again. The entire extended family was even invited to move to Egypt and live in the richest pastureland. Joseph lived out his days as Prime Minister of Egypt surrounded by the family that he had lost so long before. When their father died, Joseph’s brothers feared that he would finally take vengeance on them for the horrendous suffering they had caused him. But Joseph didn’t see their cruelty the same way they did. He didn’t look at it with human eyes; he saw with the eyes of faith. He said, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good—to save many lives!” If you’ve been wounded, revisit Joseph’s story and be encouraged that faith knows God can even bring good things out of suffering. 10

Genesis 37; 39-45; 50; Hebrews 11:22

Moses’ Parents

The parents who disobeyed the king so they could obey God

Is it ever right to break the law or to rebel against the authorities? Moses’ parents did, and the Bible commends them for it! Not because they rebelled, but because they did it by faith. The enslaved Hebrew people were rapidly multiplying and Egypt’s evil Pharoah feared they might revolt and overpower him. His solution was to command Hebrew parents to throw their newborn baby boys into the river Nile. That was the world that Moses—a Hebrew baby boy—was born into. Moses’ parents faced an unthinkable dilemma: should they obey the government edict and kill their baby, or risk all their lives by trying to save him? We don’t really understand what they saw in Moses that was so special, but we do know that they saw it by faith. They knew Moses had an important role to play in Israel’s story of deliverance. They decided to obey God rather than Pharaoh and do their best to save their son. God used their faithful actions to preserve and prepare Moses to be the one who would lead the people out of slavery and into freedom. Whether they fully understood it or not, their example illustrates that faith is prepared to pay the cost for doing the right thing. Exodus 2:1-9; Hebrews 11:23

Moses

The prince who chose poverty

Imagine growing up in a palace, with riches, pleasures, food and fun filling every single day. Now imagine giving all that up to join the people your own country enslaves. What could possibly make that decision worthwhile? Moses may have grown up as an Egyptian prince, but he knew that he was one of God’s chosen people—and God could use Him to free them from slavery. Israel’s deliverance from Egypt began with Moses’ faith. His faith knew that it is better to be a slave on earth and a prince in heaven, instead of enjoying all the pleasures of this life but missing out on God’s plan. Moses didn’t always act wisely in how he took his stand with God’s people. But he always saw through the temptation of temporary earthly pleasures; they could never compare with the eternal joy of being in God’s presence. Each day on earth offers momentary temptations and cheap substitutes for joy. When it’s hard to see beyond the things of this world, read the story of Moses and be reminded that faith values heaven’s riches more highly than earth’s trinkets.

Exodus 2:11-25; 3-12; Hebrews 11:24-28

Caleb

The elderly warrior who never lost his faith as he waited for God

Have you ever had to wait ages for an answer to prayer? Did your faith stay strong despite the disappointment, or did you begin to lose heart? Delays are a difficult and often painful test of faith—just ask Caleb! Caleb was forty years old when Israel refused to go into the Promised Land because they were afraid of the current residents. Caleb pleaded with the people to trust God to fight for them, but they wouldn’t listen. Now, at eighty-five years old, Caleb is once again ready for battle. Both his body and his faith are just as strong as they were all those years ago. The Amorites were a seemingly invincible enemy, “But” Caleb declared, “The Lord helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.” Caleb’s faith paid off. He was able to drive out the enemies and gain an inheritance that would belong to his family forever; and he gained a reputation of faith that still inspires us today. Is fear keeping you from taking hold of the promises God has given you? Let Caleb remind you again that faith knows that God is more powerful than any enemies we face.

Numbers 13:1-14:38; Joshua 14:6-15

Joshua

The conqueror who knew he couldn’t win without God

God’s people stood once again on the edge of the Promised Land, forty years after they had panicked at the size and fierceness of the enemies living there. Would they trust God this time to bring them to victory? Or would they give in to fear once more? Joshua never lost his faith in God’s ability to bring victory. He had been one of the few voices urging the people forward the first time. And this time, he led them into the land holding fast to God’s promise: “The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Cities fell, enemies were driven out, the land was conquered. And Joshua never lost sight of where the victory for each battle and challenge came from. At the end of his life, Joshua once again spoke to the people, a fire burning in his eyes as he assured them: “One of you shall defeat a thousand, because the Lord your God fights for you, just as he promised.” Like Joshua, we must all gear up for the fight. There are many enemies and challenges circling us—including the selfishness and sin lurking in our own hearts. Joshua’s thrilling and victorious life teaches us that faith looks to God to provide the victory in all our battles. 14

Joshua 1; 3-4; 6; 23-24; Hebrews 11:30

Rahab

The sex worker whose faith transformed her life

What’s the difference between knowledge and faith? We find the answer in the unlikely example of Rahab, a sex worker from Jericho. God’s people were marching closer. But the stories of God’s power and victories had travelled even faster. The city of Jericho was melting in fear. They knew the Almighty God fought for Israel. They just hoped their walls would keep them safe. Rahab had not loved or obeyed God ever before. She had led an immoral life and had every reason to fear the approach of His chosen people. God had condemned her wicked city of Jericho to destruction. Yet she didn’t shrink away in fear; she turned to God in faith! She took a risk and made herself known to God’s people, putting her life in the hands of the living God. Sometimes we’re tempted to keep our faith to ourselves. Maybe we don’t want it to be too obvious or public, because we’re worried about how others might react. There is always a risk in living out our faith, but Rahab’s story teaches us that real faith is never just about knowledge; faith always works itself out in our choices and our actions.

Joshua 2; Hebrews 11:31; James 2:24-26

Gideon

The timid warrior who carried out the worst battle plan in history

You’re in charge of an army, facing a terrifying enemy with innumerable soldiers. You need as many men as possible, lots of weapons and a seriously good battle plan . . . right? Wrong. “You won’t need them,” God told Gideon. “Your army is way too big. And leave all the weapons at home too.” The smart money would be on Gideon running away at this point. But God, You’ve left me with only 300 men, armed with nothing but torches, trumpets and jars, against thousands upon thousands of the most fearsome warriors the world has ever seen! No thanks. I’m out. But Gideon didn’t do what made sense. He fought this battle in faith, knowing that impossible situations are God’s speciality. Because when we’re rescued from the impossible, we can have no doubt that God alone is our deliverer. What insurmountable challenges are you facing? Are you struggling to trust that God is able to work it out? Journey with Gideon to the Midianite camp, armed with just a torch and trumpet, to see that faith knows nothing is impossible with God.

Judges 7

Samson

The strong man who knew where his strength really came from

Samson; the Bible’s strapping, long-haired hero with miraculous physical strength and a rather puzzling story. He was undoubtedly the most memorable of Israel’s rulers! Before his birth, Samson’s parents had made a special vow devoting him to God. God blessed him with extraordinary strength—and he used that strength to fight Israel’s most fearsome enemy, the Philistines. Yet Samson’s life was also a bit of a mess; peppered with bad choices, confusing riddles, hotheadedness and drinking. But one thing is for sure: he always fought for God’s people. Samson knew his ability to defend Israel was a gift from God. He could not triumph over their enemies on his own, because the Lord alone was the source of his extraordinary strength. Eventually, Samson was captured, imprisoned and blinded by the Philistines; it looked like a total defeat. But his tragic death was also Samson’s greatest triumph of faith. He did more to conquer Israel’s enemies in his prayerful last moments than he ever did in life. We can find far better role models than Samson, but his life and death remind us that faith knows God is always the source of our strength.

Judges 16

Ruth

The widow who gave it all up to gain God

What would you give up everything for? Love? Money? Success? Ruth gave up everything to pursue God! Her Israelite husband died young, leaving Ruth to decide between returning to her parents in Moab (a nation of false gods), or following her mother-in-law, Naomi, to Israel. If she stayed in Moab, she would have family, friends and security. If she went with Naomi, she was choosing a life of poverty in a foreign land; but she could follow the true God! Ruth chose Naomi—and Naomi’s God. She gave up everything to follow Him: her family, her country and her security. But for her, God was worth it. And God more than made up for what she lost; He provided for her beyond her wildest dreams. Choosing God comes with costs today as well, but He is still worth it. The greatest blessing Ruth received was becoming part of Jesus’ family tree. By putting God first, she helped bring Jesus into the world! And, in a way, we can do that too! We may not get the kind of fairy tale life Ruth ended up with, but her story reminds us that faith knows God is worth more than anything else on earth.

Ruth 1

Hannah

The barren woman who prayerfully gave her longings to God

Do you have dreams that grow more distant each year? Do you wonder if your deepest longings will ever be fulfilled? Hannah wanted a baby, but her womb was barren. In her grief, she turned to God. She knelt at the temple and prayed silently in her heart, pouring out both her desire and her anguish to the Lord. She knew, regardless of His answer, that she could give everything to God; she didn’t need to carry her pain alone. In entrusting her desire to God, she also found the confidence to surrender God’s provision back to Him; in other words, if God did provide a son, Hannah was ready to give her child to the Lord to serve Him in the temple. She gave complete control of the situation to God; and God used it for a wonderful purpose. Each one of us has unmet desires—dreams which are just out of reach. They matter to God too. He stands ready to carry them with us and to fulfil His purposes within them. Revisit the story of Hannah and discover how faith prayerfully surrenders all control to God, trusting He will do what’s best.

1 Samuel 1:1-20

Samuel

The prophet who had to pick out a king

What makes for a good king? Confident, winsome, eloquent, coolly able to brush shoulders with the world’s elite . . . We all have our own view on what makes a good leader. Samuel was the same. God sent him to the home of Jesse, assuring him that the next king of Israel was amongst his sons. Samuel thought he knew a good king when he saw one. That’s the one! He said to himself as he looked at Jesse’s eldest boy. Tall, handsome, handy with a sword . . . “Do not consider his appearance or his height,” God said to Samuel. God invited Samuel to look beyond appearances to see what He sees; to look at the heart. Samuel ended up choosing a young shepherd boy who became Israel’s greatest king ever. Some people just seem to have it all. It’s easy to become awed by appearances and stature, especially in an age of social media. When you feel insecure, or like you can’t possibly match up to the world’s standards, let God open your eyes through Samuel’s experience to what really matters. Samuel learned that faith doesn’t see things as we do; faith sees as God sees.

1 Samuel 13:13-14; 16:1-13

David

The king who looked at his sin through the eyes of faith

It is perhaps the hardest part of the Christian life. What do you do when you realise you’ve really messed up? How do you pick yourself up when you’ve fallen so deeply into sin? God called King David “a man after my own heart”. But that doesn’t mean he was perfect. In fact, he was far from it. Yet he shows us what it means to respond to sin in faith. One night, as David paced around on the palace rooftop, he saw the beautiful Bathsheba bathing. One thing led to another and soon David became not just an adulterer, but a murderer too. When God confronted David over his sin, David didn’t wallow, he didn’t beat himself up, he didn’t lie down and die, and he didn’t try to make up for everything he’d done. He responded in faith. It’s not an easy story to read in places. But if you are being crushed under the weight of your sin, come and observe David modelling how faith humbly receives God’s forgiveness and restoration for even the darkest moments of our lives.

2 Samuel 11:1-12:23; Psalm 51

Elijah

The prophet who called down fire

Israel was in trouble. Three years of drought had brought the nation to its knees; but wicked king Ahab was leading people to worship the false god Baal. How could Elijah help them see the truth about the living God? Cue a mountaintop showdown: Elijah the prophet of the God of Israel vs. the prophets of Baal. “We’ll each call on our god, and let the true God answer with fire!” Elijah challenged. There on the mountaintop, surrounded by enemies, stood Elijah. For hours, the prophets of Baal had danced, prayed and shouted to Baal—but there was no answer. In confident faith, Elijah stepped forward and cried out, “Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, Lord, are God.” Instantly, fire burst forth upon the altar. We, too, live in a culture that has turned away from God. How can we help those around us see the truth? It might not be a dramatic fiery spectacle like Elijah’s, but God is still in the business of revealing Himself in response to our prayers. Stand with Elijah at the mountaintop altar and see that faith expects God to display His power.

1 Kings 18:16-40

Ezra

The man of God who grieved over the people’s sin

God had finally brought His people home from exile. They had rebuilt the temple and their homes in Jerusalem. It was a time of celebration and joy. So why was Ezra in floods of tears, with torn clothes and hair, weeping before the Lord? Because this small remnant of Israelites had already turned back to sin. The people, including the leaders and priests, had been intermarrying with the surrounding nations. Was Ezra overreacting? No. In faith, he saw sin—all sin— for what it is: a rejection of God. Historically, marrying into other nations was what first led God’s people astray as they soon adopted the foreign cultures, practices, laws and gods. Ezra was absolutely heartbroken to see God’s people already turning to walk down that path again. How do we react to the sinful culture and practices in the world around us? What do we make of the areas of sin in our own lives? How can we have the faith to see past sin’s harmless appearance to the real rottenness that lies within? We can start by imitating Ezra, who devoted himself to studying God’s Word. Then we’ll see sin as God does and weep with Ezra, because faith grieves over sin.

Ezra 7:6-10; 9:1-10:12

Nehemiah

The leader who saw God at work in the ordinary

Not all of us are called to be missionaries, preachers, church leaders or best-selling authors. Most of us are like Nehemiah; we’re asked to be faithful in very ordinary matters. Nehemiah’s task was to rebuild a wall. God’s people had returned to Jerusalem after their exile, but it was in ruins. And a city without a wall was completely defenceless against its enemies. Nehemiah was practical and organised. He assessed the damage, created work groups and set realistic goals. Yet he never lost sight of God in the ordinary, encouraging his fellow workers to also look for the hand of God. Every brick they laid was His provision; every skill they had was His gift. It may have been ordinary, physical work, but Nehemiah knew God was still at the heart of it all. We may not feel like our gifts are any use to God’s kingdom; but Nehemiah knew every task and every act of service is just as important to God, whether it looks ‘spiritual’ or not. Roll up your sleeves with Nehemiah as he reminds us that we don’t have to do exceptional things to be heroes of the faith, because faith always works for the Lord, even in life’s ordinary tasks.

Nehemiah 2-6

Esther

The queen who took a risk for God

The Jews are facing a holocaust. It isn’t Nazi Germany, though, it is ancient Persia where Queen Esther—also a Jew—finds herself between a rock and a hard place. If she does nothing, her people face brutal extermination. She could plead with her husband to help the Jews, but to approach the king without an invitation is punishable by death! What should she do? Try to hide behind her royal title to save her own skin? Or confront the king, risking everything to save her people? As she considered her options, a message came to her from her relative: “Perhaps you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” It’s a risk every time we open our mouths for God or perform acts of kindness for His glory. We may lose friends, family, work and our reputation. But the gains for us and those we serve will be eternal. Like Esther, each of us has been put in a specific place and time by God to fulfil His good purposes. That truth can give us the confidence to imitate Esther. “If I perish, I perish,” she says as she shows us that faith takes risks for God.

Esther 4

Job

The man who clung to God during life-shattering suffering

How can a good God allow suffering? It’s an age-old question. In fact, it is the theme of one of the first recorded stories on earth: the story of Job. Job’s loss was utterly devastating. Stripped of nearly everything he had—his children, servants, money, position and reputation—Job began to lose his health as well. Griefstricken and covered in painful sores, Job clung to the one thing he had left: God. There in the ashes of his ravaged life, Job worshipped. Job’s ‘friends’ joined him . . . but only to accuse him of bringing calamity upon himself through wickedness and selfrighteousness. Then, the most amazing thing happened: out of a whirlwind God joined the conversation. What would He say? What explanation would He give for Job’s undeserved losses? God’s words were even more awesome than that. He didn’t reveal answers, but Himself. “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?” He asked, before delivering a truly heart-stopping description of Himself. So often our suffering causes us to doubt the goodness and power of God. But Job’s endurance shows us that when life is at its worst, faith trusts that whatever happens, God is God, and God is good. 26

Job 1-2; 38-42; James 5:11

Isaiah

The prophet who knew his words would fall on deaf ears

When we think about the towering heroes of faith, we remember Elijah calling down fire from heaven, Daniel surviving a night with the hungry lions or Moses leading the people into freedom through the parted sea. These are stories of boundless courage and unshakable faith. But we rarely think of the incredible faith and perseverance of Isaiah, the prophet who gave messages from God to His people decade after decade with almost no response. It all started with such an incredible vision of God that Isaiah willingly signed up for the job, even though he knew the people wouldn’t respond. “Send me!” he cried out. Though much of his preaching promised judgement, he also promised hope. He knew God would one day rescue His people—and even the whole world—and bring eternal peace. Isaiah didn’t need people to listen to him to know God would prove His faithfulness. Isaiah didn’t need to see the fulfilment of all his hope-filled words to know God would do it all. When our days feel bleak, and maybe like no one is listening, we can spend some time with Isaiah glimpsing our awesome God and discovering that faith knows that God will be faithful, even when those around us don’t believe. Isaiah 6

Jeremiah

The prophet who was despised for everything he said

Forty years is a long time to be hated by just about everyone. It seemed like every time Jeremiah shared a message from God with the people of Jerusalem, he was rebuked, mistreated or imprisoned. Why was Jeremiah repeatedly punished for his words? Israel was rebelling against God, and Jeremiah’s job was to remind them that sin has consequences. He warned that the Babylonian army was on the horizon, ready to put the city to the sword and carry the people off into exile. It wasn’t a message anyone in Jerusalem wanted to hear. Talk about feeling outnumbered! Have you ever experienced something like that? Perhaps you’re going through that sort of thing right now at work or even in your own home. You are the only Christian, and you feel hated and hounded. It wasn’t stubbornness or a strong will that kept Jeremiah going; it was his faith in the might and power of our ever-present God. Listen to the Word of God Jeremiah continually received throughout the abuse, hatred and mistreatment, and see that faith knows that with God by our side, we’re never truly outnumbered.

Jeremiah 36-40

Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego

Three friends who chose a fiery furnace over idol worship

Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, turned up the heat on his Israelite captives—literally! It was time to see who was really going to give him their loyalty. “Bow down and worship my gold statue,” he told them. “Or you’ll be thrown in my fire.” Soon three Israelites stood before the king. He raged at their refusal to bow down. Yet Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego remained calm and confident in their faith in the living God. Did they know they would be rescued? No. Did they fear dying in the flames? Most probably. So, what made them so brave? “The God we serve is able to deliver us,” they explained simply, “But even if He does not, we will not worship the image of gold you have set up.” We don’t know what today or tomorrow will hold. We don’t know how our faith will be received by others. We don’t know the full outcomes of each decision we make. And we don’t know how, when, or even if God will rescue us from every earthly trial. Yet as we take our stand with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, we see that “even if” the worst happens, faith clings to God despite the outcome.

Daniel 3; Hebrews 11:34

Daniel

The exile who put loyalty to God before his own safety

Despite being an exiled Israelite in Babylon, Daniel was one of the most powerful men in the king’s court. The Babylonian governors didn’t like this—at all. The problem was, they couldn’t catch Daniel doing anything wrong. So they went after the only thing they could attack: his devotion to God. They created a new law: “Anyone who prays to any god apart from the king shall be thrown to the lions.” Then they watched. What would you do? Keep your prayer life very secret? Pretend to pray to the king? Stop praying altogether? For Daniel the way forward was clear: carry on as he always had. He continued to pray to God three times a day. And he willingly paid the penalty. As far as Daniel knew, a night in the lion’s den meant a gruesome, painful end to his life. And yet he didn’t waver in his faith. He wasn’t prepared to make any compromises. If that meant trouble would come his way, then he would entrust it and the consequences to God. Are you facing hostility and tough choices because of your faith? Take courage from Daniel and see that faith is more loyal to God than to our own self-preservation. 30

Daniel 6; Hebrews 11:33

Joseph

The husband-to-be who let God wreck his plans

It’s hard to give up our plans and dreams. In fact, the world tells us to do whatever it takes to achieve our desires. But Joseph was different. He was a man of faith. His dreams were dashed when he discovered that his bride-tobe, Mary, was already pregnant. In order to keep his plan of having a nice, respectable family, he would have to break things off with her. “Not so fast,” said an angel. “The child she’s carrying is from God.” What was Joseph to do? Cling to his life’s ambition? Or follow this bizarre new twist from God and become part of the most exciting event in history? We all have expectations for our lives, and perhaps others pressure us with their expectations too. When we feel God directing us to something completely different—even to a life that makes no sense at the time—how do we give up our plans for God? Joseph quietly and humbly shows us how faith allows us to die to our own agenda so we can follow God into something far, far better.

Matthew 1:18-25; 2:13-23

Mary

The girl who believed bringing Jesus into the world was worth any cost

What sort of person does God use to bring Jesus into the world? “I am the Lord’s servant.” That was Mary’s response to the incredible news that she—a virgin—would give birth to God’s Son; she would finally bring the Saviour to the world. But consider what it meant for Mary. It meant losing her reputation. Who would believe her story? She would be thought of as immoral and dishonest by just about everyone she knew. And it meant losing control. A long journey to Bethlehem, giving birth in a stable, fleeing to Egypt in fear for her child’s life—this was not the life Mary had imagined for herself. Yet even as she began this journey of earthly loss, she rejoiced because of all that God was going to do through her. “All generations will call me blessed!” she exclaimed. The losses paled when compared with bringing Jesus into the world. We can all bring Jesus into our world by living as the Lord’s servants, just as Mary did. When we feel the cost, let’s read Mary’s joyful response to all that God gave her—and took away—showing how faith believes that despite the cost, bringing Jesus into the world is the most profound privilege we could ever have. 32

Luke 1:26-56

John the Baptist

The wild-man-preacher who lived as a signpost

There’s nothing quite so exciting as spotting a signpost when you’re lost! Signposts have a very simple, but essential function: they point the way. After 400 years without any word from God, His people had lost their way. The time was right for the promised Saviour to come, but Israel wasn’t ready to receive Him. Enter John the Baptist. John’s whole life was a signpost pointing to Jesus. During his brief public ministry, John got a lot of attention. People travelled from all over Israel to hear him, get baptised and ask, “Are you the one we’ve been waiting for?” How tempting it must have been to step forward into the limelight and enjoy a bit of attention. Yet John, in faith, stepped back. “I am not the one; I’m just preparing the way. He must become greater. I must become less.” Some of us, like John, only have brief moments of influence. Others spend their lives in the spotlight. Either way, we can all learn from John how faith points others to Jesus, not ourselves.

Mark 1:1-14; 6:14-29; Luke 1:5-17; 57-80; John 1:19-34; 3:25-30

The Centurion The victorious soldier who served those he had conquered

You’ve probably heard the saying, “Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely.” The point is, the more unlimited power and authority a person has, the easier it becomes for them to be selfish and greedy, oppressing those they rule over. That was certainly the Israelites’ experience of the Roman Empire during Jesus’ time. Rome ruled their tiny nation for the glory of Rome, rather than for the good of Israel. But one Roman Centurion was cut from a different mould. He didn’t just have power and authority in Israel, he understood what authority is really for: to serve and benefit the people underneath him, rather than his own agenda. And that’s what the Centurion most clearly recognised about Jesus when his own servant was dangerously ill: His authority. Not just that Jesus has power over every person and thing, but that He uses this power for our good. Humbled by Jesus’ authority, the Centurion sent a message to Jesus, “You don’t even need to come to my house to heal my servant. Just say the word, and I know it will be done.” Jesus was truly amazed by this Centurion who shows us that faith recognises and rests in Jesus’ servanthearted authority. 34

Luke 7:1-10

Peter

The disciple who walked on water during a storm

Imagine you’re in a small fishing boat, being blown about by the wind, buffeted by huge waves and blinded by stinging cold spray and rain. The noise is deafening, the dark clouds envelop you and you pray you’ll survive the night. Now imagine looking up and seeing a figure coming towards you—He is calmly walking on the same swirling waters that threatened to swallow you up. If the storm is terrifying, how much more awesome is this figure who cannot be touched by it? That image of Jesus’ unrivalled power and authority gave Peter the courage not just to have peace in the storm, but to actually step out of the boat and meet his Saviour within it. Peter didn’t always get things right in his life with Jesus— including in this very storm. But in faith, he realised that Jesus truly is Lord over—and in—every storm we face. Stepping out of the boat is never comfortable, but we learn from Peter that victorious faith sets its focus on the Saviour rather than the storm.

Matthew 14:22-33

The Gentile Woman The desperate mother who didn’t take no for an answer

Imagine asking a surgeon to bump up your child’s operation to the top of the list despite knowing that his own child was next in line. That’s a bit like the desperate plea of the Gentile woman at Jesus’ feet. She pleaded with Him to heal her demon-possessed daughter despite not even being a part of Jesus’ immediate mission: God’s people, Israel. As He so often does with us, Jesus did not immediately give her what she wanted; instead, He explored her faith by pushing back. He reminded her that His ministry was focused on the Israelites. But she didn’t flinch. Her daughter was suffering, and she knew that Jesus was her only hope. She persisted, believing that Jesus had enough healing for everyone—even an outsider. Jesus loves persistent faith. What makes the Gentile woman’s story so remarkable is that despite everything being against her, she still came to Jesus with an expectation of receiving His love and mercy. She didn’t proclaim her worthiness, instead she affirmed her faith in His abundant grace. It’s hard to respond in faith when God seems to ignore our requests; but we can learn a lot from this Gentile mother. She knew that faith asks for and expects mercy from Jesus, even when we don’t deserve it. 36 Matthew 15:21-28; Mark 7:24-30

The Paralytic’s Friends

The team who broke through a roof in faith

Are you a team player or do you prefer flying solo? Whether we love teamwork or loath it, unity with our brothers and sisters in Christ is essential to living the Christian life well. Without their support and prayers, our faith is much more likely to waver when the going gets tough. That could have easily been the story for the paralysed man. If he had been on his own, he would never have got to Jesus—there were so many barriers, aside from his physical limitations. But he had four friends determined to carry him to the Healer who had entered town. Together, they kept going, thought outside the box (literally) and overcame every obstacle to bring their friend to Jesus. What impressed Him most? Their teamwork? Tenacity? Perseverance? No, their faith—their combined faith, bolstered and strengthened by the presence of one another. Fight through the crowd with the paralytic’s friend and see how faith encourages faith.

Mark 2:3-12; Luke 5:17-26; Matthew 9:2-8

The Sinful Woman

The sinner who poured perfume on Jesus’ feet

A world-renowned artist paints his most impressive painting yet. And then, to your amazement, he gives it to you as a gift. You feel like you must do something in return, so you pat down your pockets and give him all the money you have . . . It doesn’t really matter how much you offer—£10, £200, £1000—it cheapens his gift by putting a value on something that’s priceless and precious. But isn’t this what the sinful woman did when she poured an expensive jar of perfume on Jesus’ feet? Was she trying to pay Jesus back for His forgiveness? Jesus explained to the onlookers, “Her faith has already saved her. She is doing this because she loves me.” Faith not only receives Jesus’ forgiveness but trusts that the debt of our sin is fully paid. How should we respond to such a priceless gift? Let our hearts grow in love for our Saviour. Forgiven, restored and thankful, the woman gave her heart and her possessions to Jesus, not to pay a debt, but to show her love. Worship with the forgiven woman and be reminded that faith simply loves Jesus.

Luke 7:36-50

The Woman at the Well

The shunned woman who found everything she was looking for

Broken relationships, unfulfilled longings, a bad-girl reputation, and a deep desire for something more. The woman at the well seems an unlikely hero of faith. We meet her travelling alone to the well to quench her thirst. Thirst is a natural human experience; and water is the way to satisfy it. But we all thirst for other things too: love, acceptance, meaning, purpose. Too often, we attempt to fulfil these longings with comforts like money, success, entertainment and romantic relationships. But they still leave us empty. That was the experience of the woman at the well—until she met Jesus! Jesus spoke right into the deepest need of her heart; her longing for love and fulfilment. And He promised her something that would truly satisfy: Himself. He would be like living water for her soul. She was one of the very few people Jesus spoke openly with about His identity. But why her? Maybe it was her expectation that the promised Messiah was the answer. Or maybe it was her authenticity. Perhaps it was both. But certainly Jesus wanted to reveal Himself to someone who would tell others. Sit down with the woman at the well and discover how faith finds lasting satisfaction in Jesus and then shares it with others. John 4:1-30

Paul

The imprisoned apostle who endured to the end

Have you ever felt like giving up? The Apostle Paul would understand. He had a dynamic ministry preaching the gospel far and wide—and yet it was filled with seemingly endless troubles and trials. He was put in prison frequently, flogged severely and exposed to death many times through being beaten, whipped and stoned. He was even shipwrecked three times (spending a day and night in the open sea!). He wrote in one of his prison letters: “I have been in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have laboured and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.” Yet none of this made him lose his faith. We all have opportunities to call it a day; to sit down on life’s long, steep climb and say “enough.” What keeps us stepping forward when it all feels too much? Open 2 Timothy, Paul’s final letter from prison, and he’ll explain to you with his last words why faith endures to the very end.

2 Corinthians 11; 2 Timothy 4:6-18

HEROES OF THE FAITH AT A GLANCE Perhaps one of the hardest things about the Christian life is the fact that we cannot see most of it. We live as part of God’s unseen kingdom. That’s why we need faith. One of the best ways to grow our faith is to spend time reading about others who lived on earth by faith—and the Bible is full of them! These short introductions to some of the Bible’s heroes of the faith are like little launch pads into their stories. They’ll help you know where to find them in Scripture, what to expect, what to look for and why they are so important. With this handy guide, these people will become more than names—they’ll become living, breathing life-lessons. The men and women of faith that make up the story of Scripture are all flawed human beings. Their feats of heroism are mixed in with some shocking failures. But that’s what makes them so inspiring! If they can live by faith, then we can too. If you need to get in touch, please contact the office nearest to you from the list below, or go to ourdailybread.org/locations for the complete list of offices. Germany: Our Daily Bread Ministries e.V., Schulstraße 42, 79540 Lörrach deutsch@odb.org Ireland: Our Daily Bread Ministries, 64 Baggot Street Lower, Dublin 2, D02 XC62 ireland@odb.org ~ +3531 (01) 676 7315 UK & Europe: Our Daily Bread Ministries, PO Box 1, Millhead, Carnforth, LA5 9ES europe@odb.org ~ +44 (0) 15395 64149 Many people, making even the smallest of donations, enable Our Daily Bread Ministries to reach others with the life-changing wisdom of the Bible. We are not funded or endowed by any group or denomination.

ourdailybread.org

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