He called them a “huge cloud of witnesses,” and he cited their faith as something to inspire the recipients of his letter. He wrote, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us.” (NLT, Hebrews 12:1–2)