As we were chatting about our favourite films, one friend said he preferred his stories in books rather than in movies. He said, “With a book, I can stay there as long as I want.” Whichever we prefer, there’s something great about being able to stay as long as we want in a book—including the Bible and its stories!

Hebrews 11, sometimes called “the faith chapter”, talks about nineteen people by name. Each one went through hard times and doubt, yet chose to obey God. “All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth” (V.13).

It’s far too easy to rush through parts of the Bible, reading without really thinking about the people, events or what is actually being said. Sometimes a message on our phone can distract us from going deeper into God’s truth. Yet, if we make time to stay a while in the Bible, we’ll find ourselves caught up in the real-life dramas of people like us who chose to live their lives entirely for God.

When we open up the Bible, it’s a good idea to put other things to one side and take our time.

By: David McCasland

To Pray About . . .

Father in heaven, thank You for the examples of people who lived by faith. Help us to follow You as they did.