Drawing Back

When storms come and results delay, we’re tempted to start drawing back, but God calls us to keep our sails up and keep living by faith.

“You have need of endurance, so that … you may receive the promise: […] ‘Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, my soul has no pleasure in him.’ But we are not of those who draw back.”—Hebrews 10:36–39 NKJV

The Bible warns us against our tendency to “draw back.” Vine suggests that the Greek word used here is “a metaphor from lowering a sail and so slackening the course, and hence of being remiss in holding the truth.”

Just like a ship on the sea, if we don’t see results, we can be tempted to “lower our sails,” give up, and stop trying. Drawing back means acting as if we no longer trust God or are willing to act in faith and obedience. It implies standing still in our spiritual lives or being at risk of drifting off course.

This is why we must continue living by faith, making it a constant habit to obey God’s Word and believe His promises. We need to patiently endure every situation even if we don’t see immediate results.

We must never “draw back.” Why? Because God has “no pleasure” in those who act this way.

Those who draw back have allowed doubt to control their minds and hearts, and the Bible warns that such people shouldn’t expect to “receive anything from the Lord.” Why? Because they are like “a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways” (James 1:5–8). Instead, we’re to “live by faith.”

Even if you don’t see immediate results, you must not give up. Don’t change course, or lower your sails. Instead of drawing back, persevere. Believe in God. Continue to live boldly by faith.

Reflection Question: What tempts you to pull back instead of pressing forward in faith?