Heb 11:39 And all of these, though they won divine approval by [means of] their faith, did not receive the fulfillment of what was promised,
Heb 11:40 Because God had us in mind {and} had something better {and} greater in view for us, so that they [these heroes and heroines of faith] should not come to perfection apart from us [before we could join them].
Heb 12:1 THEREFORE THEN, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off {and} throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to {and} entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance {and} steady {and} active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us,
Heb 12:2 Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader {and} the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising {and} ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Heb 12:3 Just think of Him Who endured from sinners such grievous opposition {and} bitter hostility against Himself [reckon up and "consider it all" in comparison with your trials], so that you may not grow weary {or} exhausted, losing heart {and} relaxing {and} fainting in your minds.

These people...Hebrews says, "of whom the world was not worthy--roaming over the desolate places and the mountains, and [living] in caves {and} caverns and holes of the earth." Think of Moses on top of the mountain with God and he knows he can not go into the promised land but will die there. He was old but for all those years he was obeying God to lead these rebellious complaining people, but the end of the story of Moses is just peeking a glimpse, (if his eyes could still see; the distant "promised land." The people who were tortured, and had gone on to their rest without receiving what was promised? These are the people Hebrews is speaking of in the verses above.We are to "consider" how they persevered even if they did not receive in this life what was promised, because our Heavenly father does not want us to give up or be weary of well doing...but to press on and "think of HIM who endured." We live in a very depraved world and there is much to cause us discouragement. When we consider what all those went through who died standing their ground for the Lord and not giving up, we do not give up the hope of are calling, we do not allow the suffering to cause us to stop fighting our fight of faith. Today, if you are going by your feelings and getting discouraged because you have no money for Christmas gifts, go visit a neighbor who lives alone and has no one to buy a gift for. Consider the "day" we live in of materialistic selfish lifestyles in our world, and consider the Heavenly rewards of standing your ground for Jesus. When you consider it all, consider Heaven; and the hope of our calling.