You have heard these stories over and over again. But - since we know the stories so well, it may be hard for us to really put ourselves in the shoes of the story teller. For instance, what thoughts raced through Joseph's mind when he was hustled out of prison early one morning? Certainly not that he was about to become Pharoah's right-hand man.While these characters tell their stories as they may have happened in their time (with some hopefully sanctified imagination added) they are able to jump across the centuries to tell them to us in our time and setting. So they may quote a song that is found in one of our hymn books. Or we will hear Jonah tell his listeners to "Fasten your seatbelts, we're going for a ride." These are real stories of real people (and a few animals) who faced real dilemmas and real temptations. Sometimes they make wrong choices. But God is able to show His strength in our weakness. To turn our sorrow into joy. He can accomplish His purposes in spite of our failures. May God use these stories for our encouragement. Hebrews 12:1.2.