For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Romans 15:4

As I listened to the sermon this morning featuring the passage above, I was reminded of this line from Ecclesiastes 7:8 – Finishing is better than starting.

We see that theme throughout the Old and New Testaments. Think of the faithfulness of Abraham or Moses or David as they completed the tasks of their lives and honored God. These men give us hope, not just because of their positive example, but inside of their failures. Moses, murdered a man, David committed adultery and conspired to kill his rival and Abraham tried to work out God’s promises on his own.

And in the New Testament, we read of Peter and Paul – two men who did more than just start following Christ, the were faithful to the end even though their lives also featured some significant failures.

Before he followed Christ, Paul was intent on destroying the new faith and Peter denied Christ, but each of them finished well.

Today we have the benefit of those stories and the message of encouragement that builds our hope. What passages encourage you and give you hope?