Dahil sa pananampalataya nila sa Diyos, nagwagi sila laban sa mga kaharian, namuhay sila nang matuwid, at nagkamit ng mga ipinangako ng Diyos. Napaamo nila ang mga leon, napatay ang naglalagablab na apoy, at nakaligtas sila sa tiyak na kamatayan. Sila’y mahihina ngunit binigyan ng lakas upang maging magiting sa digmaan, kaya’t natalo ang hukbo ng mga dayuhan.

Mga Hebreo 11:33–34

Araw ng mga Bayani o National Heroes’ Day ngayon sa Pilipinas. Tuwing last Monday ng August, inaalala ng mga Pilipino ang tapang at sakripisyo ng heroes who fought for our freedom. We owe a lot to those who laid their lives so our country could finally taste independence then.

In the Bible, there are also those who are called heroes, particularly “heroes of the faith.” The writer of Hebrews dedicated a whole chapter to talking about them. There’s Abraham na iniwan ang bayan niya to follow God kahit hindi niya alam exactly kung saan ang destination niya. Moses led the Israelites out of slavery and received the Ten Commandments. Meron ding mga lesser known heroes like Rahab who helped protect spies when they were in Canaan. Many others, like her, displayed their trust in God in many ways. Although they weren’t mentioned by name, kinilala sila for their faith and courage sa gitna ng adversity.

Ikaw, do you also want to be called a hero — for the nation or for standing firm in your faith? Hindi mo kailangang magsimula ng rebolusyon tulad ni Andres Bonifacio o di kaya’y makipag-showdown kay pharaoh tulad ni Moses para matawag na bayani. All you have to do is hold on to God’s hand, believe in something bigger than yourself, conquer your fears, and then change the world.