One of my favorite books in the Bible is the New Testament book of Hebrews. We don't know who wrote the Book of Hebrews; scholars are not unanimous or even nearly unanimous. Some suggest Paul; others suggest Barnabas, Apollos, or a woman named Priscilla. But whoever wrote it, the book is a treasure chest! Hebrews chapter 6, explains the elementary principles of Christian faith. Chapters 11 and 12 help us to understand faith by giving examples of faithful and heroic men and women. Today, let's begin a three-part series by listening to a short passage from Hebrews chapter 11:

Through faith they conquered kingdoms, did what God approved, and received what God had promised. They shut the mouths of lions, put out raging fires, and escaped death. They found strength when they were weak. They were powerful in battle and defeated other armies. Women received their loved ones back from the dead. (Heb. 11:33-35a)

Wow! Good stuff, right? In the verses preceding our passage, the writer calls out Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Rahab, David and Samuel—all "heroes of faith." We see them as victorious people and we want to be victorious ourselves. However, most of us want victories where God "fixes" the contest, so to speak, and we don't have to suffer anything to be a hero. But that's not faith. God will lead us, just as He’s led countless others over the centuries. He’ll lead us into and through experiences and challenges that help us grow in our faith and in our relationship with Him.

Today, God has a victorious life waiting for you and for me, though we’ll have to travel through some unsettled territory. But with faith, we'll be traveling with Him all the way...and that is very Good News!