That every saint that came before us ... every soul that has been saved by the cross as we have ... is a great witness to us ... to our walk ... and to our faith.
Above all ... Christ who walked the path of suffering unto death before us ... endured it all for our sake ... is faithful to see us through everything we face in this life ... and ultimately ... to the very throne of God.
Hebrews 12: 1-3
"Seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily beset
us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking
to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was
set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down
at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured
such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest you be wearied and
faint in your minds."