Who are some leaders who persevered in the Bible?

Hebrews 11:1-2Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.

Hebrews 11:32-40It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets. By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. Women received their loved ones back again from death. But others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection. Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground. All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us.

Hebrews 11 is an entire chapter that lists people of faith who persevered before God. Most of them had to trust in God’s gracious willingness to save them in anticipation of the work Jesus would do on the cross, securing the means of salvation for believers who came long before and for believers like us who came long after.

Genesis 17:1-2, 19When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty.’ Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life. I will make a covenant with you, by which I will guarantee to give you countless descendants.” . . . But God replied, “No—Sarah, your wife, will give birth to a son for you. You will name him Isaac, and I will confirm my covenant with him and his descendants as an everlasting covenant.”

Abram persevered in trusting the promises of God. That trust was marked by a willingness to act based on God’s instructions before he saw the promises fulfilled.

1 Samuel 16:11-12Samuel asked, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied. “But he’s out in the fields watching the sheep and goats.” “Send for him at once,” Samuel said. “We will not sit down to eat until he arrives.” So Jesse sent for him. He was dark and handsome, with beautiful eyes. And the Lord said, “This is the one; anoint him.”

2 Samuel 5:4David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years in all.

David persevered in waiting on the timing of God. Many scholars believe David waited 13 to 17 years for the fulfillment of God’s promise that he would become king. Much of this time he actually spent running from Saul who was determined to kill him.

2 Corinthians 11:23-29I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. . . . I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm. Then, besides all this, I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak without my feeling that weakness? Who is led astray, and I do not burn with anger?

Paul persevered through innumerable trials in God’s service. Yet he also set an example for us in his awkwardness over reporting on his own endurance.