In 11:32, the writer begins a new list of heroes of the faith. However, many on this list are what we might call a "motley crew". That is, their lives are filled with just as many spiritual failures as successes. The writer begins his dubious list by naming Gideon. This natural-born coward was not capable of delivering God's people in of himself. Yet calls him a "might man of valor". What this demonstrates is that it is God alone who enables us for our call, and so we can take zero credit for what he accomplishes in us. However, just because God calls and uses us, it doesn't mean we are impervious to failure. After Gideon's military success, he became prideful, lustful, and self-aggrandizing, eventually leading to Israel's bondage once again. His cautionary tale reminds us that instead of looking to ourselves, we must look to Jesus Christ, who alone keeps us. Only then will we find comfort in the knowledge that God is faithful even when His people are defective.