Many people evaluate faith by its results. They ask whether their prayers were answered, if their lives improved in proportion to their dedication, or if they received blessings according to their belief. While this logic may seem natural, it is essentially no different from worldly success.
This perspective sees faith not as a relationship with God but as a kind of spiritual transaction. When the expectation that God must reward us for our zeal becomes central, faith begins to collapse if results are delayed or appear in unexpected ways. However, the Bible shows a completely different standard.
God has always evaluated people of faith by their direction rather than their results, and faith is defined not by short-term achievements but by a continuous attitude of obedience.
Hebrews chapter 11 is called the chapter of faith. Most of the faithful introduced in this chapter did not receive what was promised in their lifetime. The Bible says, “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off and embraced them…” (Hebrews 11:13) Their faith was proven not by results but by direction.
Abraham left for “the land he would later receive,” not knowing where it was. Noah built the ark in a time when there was no rain. Moses chose the path of suffering, rejecting the riches of Egypt. Their common trait was that they moved not when the results were certain, but by choosing the direction according to God’s Word. This is true faith.
Today, we live in an overwhelmingly results-oriented era. Value is judged by achievements, and people are evaluated by their performance. Prayer, ministry, and dedication are often measured only by ‘what came of them.’ But God sees how we live.
In the seemingly barren wilderness seasons, in the daily life of worshiping alone, in faithfully fulfilling one’s duties even when unnoticed, God is deeply moved.
Jesus said, “Enter by the narrow gate.” This path is not glorious or efficient, and sometimes it is painful. But because it is the path to life, we choose this direction.
Faith is like a quiet uphill alley, not a wide and fast highway. Even if the end is not visible, walking that path daily is faith.
God does not look at the end but at the steps taken.
Those who obsess over results often say their faith “shakes.” But what really shakes is not faith itself but the ‘way I expected things to be.’ God can work differently than we expect, and it may not be the timing we imagined.
True faith does not despair but keeps direction. Direction is always slow. Direction cannot be held in hand or proudly displayed right away. But if the direction is right, the goal will be reached eventually. What pleases God is that focus toward the path.
Habakkuk the prophet confessed, “Though the fig tree does not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines… yet I will rejoice in the Lord…” This is faith in direction, not results. Rejoicing without response and being thankful without achievement are never hypocrisy. It is a reaction only those who know who God is can make.
God treasures worship given without results most of all. Because such worship contains the purest dedication confessing “God alone is enough.”
In our faith journey, sometimes we wonder, “Am I doing something wrong?” But what we must remember clearly is whether the direction we are currently walking is the one God has spoken.
Some become discouraged because their ministry bears no fruit; some give up because their prayers go unanswered. But nowhere in the Bible is anyone called “faithful because of great achievements.” Instead, God calls those “faithful in little things.” Those who maintain direction will surely reach the end. Even if shaken, if one does not lose direction, the path continues.
Where is your faith heading now? Even if nothing seems to be accomplished outwardly, if you are still obeying the Word today, that path is surely toward life.
Faith is not about what has been achieved but about what path has been chosen. The destination is set by God, but the direction is chosen daily by us. God remembers those steps. Faith does not trade on results but obeys direction.
Though this age still demands results, God still waits for direction.
Maeil Scripture Journal | Today’s World, A View Through the Word
