In this lengthy passage, the author of Hebrews seeks to encourage his original readers to persevere in their faith by reminding them of many examples of others who have, by faith, gone before them. What can be encouraging to us is that fact that the list of individuals who lived "by faith" were imperfect people just like you and I. It was the object of their faith, who was perfect. God's faithfulness is the key. It is for us to fix our eyes on him, no matter what we face.
