Biblical Heroes

by Matt Cobb

Recently, I was listening to one of my wife’s and my favorite artists, Ben Rector. We joke a lot that we made it this far in our relationship because of Ben. When we were dating, there were times we would have rough arguments that I didn’t know how we would make it out of. It always seemed like in these moments, Ben would release a new song and the path to reconciliation for us always began with “Did you hear the new Ben song?” The song I was listening to was called Heroes. It tells the story of how he misses his old heroes. He lists former athletes, friends, and mentors. And it got me thinking. Who were mine when I was a kid?

If you know me, most of these will not surprise you. My dad was my biggest hero. But I was an athlete too. As Ben said, Ken Griffey, Jr was indeed a giant. Chipper Jones. A man named Teddy King, who was the head of our First Priority club and was truly the first one to disciple me. Coach Johnson. Coach Rogers. Professor Lupin. And there were others. As I mulled this over, I began to think about who my heroes are as an adult. My dad has stayed on the list. Men who lead their families well. Women who break through ceilings. My friend, Dan Martin. But as I walk through my faith, biblical names begin to pop up.

Immediately, I thought of Paul. Formerly known as Saul, he was a strict Pharisee and led a vicious campaign of persecution against Christians. Christians used to fear his name because they knew he was bad news. Enter God. Enter a blinding light moment on the Damascus Road. On the other side of this encounter, we see Paul emerge. A former terror to our faith, Paul becomes one of the biggest biblical heroes there is. He becomes a champion of God, an advocate for the faith that is rarely seen. His faith in adversity is a beautiful reminder that while we may suffer in this life, suffering in Christ for the betterment of the Kingdom is a cause worth celebrating. Paul says in Romans 5:3-4 that “…we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.” He goes on to say in Romans 8:18 that “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Paul knew, like we know (but can sometimes forget) that God did not call us to have an easy, cushy life on Earth. He has called us to more. To be of another world, another Kingdom.

Another is David. Facing down Goliath. Our two kids love this story. Every time our 4-year-old son wants to wrestle, he says “Daddy, you’re Goliath. I’m David!” Then he runs into me and knocks me over. Sometimes, I feel like we gloss over the hero mode that David had to enter into this battle. We know this is a “big versus small” story. But I don’t think we appreciate the difference between those two. By most accounts, Goliath was over 9 feet tall. 9 feet! David, described as a “shepherd boy”, was said to be around 5 feet. We are looking at a 4 to 4 ½ foot difference. What strength in God it took to step up. 1 Samuel 17:37 says “And David said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!” When I allow myself to actually think about the enormity of this story, I always find myself inspired by it. To put the fate of your life and your fellow people in the hands of God against what seems to be completely insurmountable odds is a beautiful reminder of God’s love for us. 2 Peter 1:3 tells us “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” We can forget that God never promised us an easy life. He promised that we would be different from this world because we are not of this world. We are called to glorify His kingdom and sometimes that comes at the expense of our comforts here on Earth. But when we have faith like David, that is a small price to pay. 

Finally, I think of Esther. A Jewish woman who lived in Persia. A woman who found herself rising to the throne as queen to a king who would plan to commit genocide on her people. Her remarkable courage, faith, and willingness to risk her own life to save her people. Her story is a powerful example of how God can use an ordinary person for an extraordinary purpose, and it’s one of the most celebrated accounts of faith and bravery in the Bible. When Esther’s cousin Mordecai urged her to intervene in the King’s decision, she had to risk her life by approaching King Xerxes uninvited—a move that could have resulted in her execution (Esther 4:11). 

In her famous declaration, Esther said, “I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:16). This statement reflects her willingness to sacrifice herself for the greater good, showing the depth of her courage and commitment. Esther didn’t initially see herself as a deliverer, but Mordecai’s words challenged her to consider that she may have been placed in her royal position “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). This indicates a belief that God had orchestrated events so that she would be in a position to act. The great part about Ester’s story is that in a way, it is applicable to all of us. While we may not stand in front of a King, God puts us in so many situations and, with the help of the Holy Spirit, nudges us to be His ambassador. Sometimes that's listening to a friend who’s struggling. Sometimes complimenting someone you see in public. Sometimes telling a loved one that it’s going to be okay…even and especially when it doesn’t feel like it. 

Biblical heroes like David, Esther, and Paul are powerful examples of faith, courage, and trust in God. They weren’t perfect; they had doubts, struggles, and failures. Yet, their willingness to walk in faith and obedience, even when the path was uncertain, sets them apart. Their stories remind us that God can use anyone, regardless of their background or weaknesses, to accomplish His purposes.

These heroes teach us that faith isn’t about having all the answers or never feeling fear—it’s about trusting God in the midst of uncertainty. Whether it’s Abraham leaving his home without knowing where he was going, Esther risking her life to save her people, or Paul enduring hardship to spread the Gospel, each of these figures demonstrates a trust in God’s bigger plan.

Today, we can draw inspiration from their lives, knowing that the same God who empowered them is still working in our lives. We too can be heroes of faith—living boldly, trusting deeply, and walking in step with God’s purpose for our lives. As we face our own challenges, we can look to these examples for encouragement, knowing that God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness.

So, the next time you find yourself in a difficult situation or feeling uncertain about the future, remember the biblical heroes who came before us. Their stories show that God’s promises are sure, and with faith, we can overcome any obstacle and fulfill the call God has placed on our lives.