For we live by believing and not by seeing. 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NLT).

How do we walk by faith and not by sight? By taking the road less travelled and by taking the long term view of things.

First, take the road less travelled. “It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt. He was not afraid of the king. Moses kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible” Hebrews 11:27 (NLT). Humanly speaking it seemed like Moses had it made. He was a prince of Egypt. He had slaves to do his bidding, the choicest food to eat, the finest robes to wear, and the best chariots to ride in. He had it all, the mansion, the action, everything for his satisfaction. But he chose to take the road less travelled. “He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin” Hebrews 11:25 (NLT).

Faith chooses the right way even when it’s the tough way. Matthew 7:13-14 says, “The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it” (NLT). Which way are you traveling? Listen. Expediency is easier than honesty and flippancy is easier than integrity. There are only two roads to choose from. Are you on the broad road or the narrow road?

Faith is trust without reservation. “The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today” Franklin D. Roosevelt. Take the road less travelled. Put your faith in God and watch Him do the rest? Numbers 23:19 says, “God is not a man, that he should lie. He is not a human, that he should change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?” (NLT).

“Faith is a living daring confidence in God’s grace.” Martin Luther. So whatever it is that God’s calling you to do – do it, and trust Him to carry you through. Don’t delay, just do it.

Second, take the long-term view of things. Hebrews 11:13 says, “All these faithful ones died without receiving what God had promised them, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed the promises of God” (NLT). “… they saw it all from a distance …” Faith takes the long-term view of things. It has a hope and a future. Do you believe God has a plan? Do you believe that God can and will do the right thing for you if you place your life in His hands? Faith “is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen” Hebrews 11:1 (NLT).

During World War II, Winston Churchill was forced to make a painful choice. The British Secret Service had cracked the Nazi code and informed Churchill that the Germans were going to bomb the city of Coventry. What should he do? If he evacuated the city he would save hundreds of lives but the action would tip off the Germans that the code was broken. If he took no action hundreds might be killed but the flow of information that would continue would potentially save many more lives. Churchill chose the second option. No warning was given to the people of Coventry. Despite the difficulty of the decision, I think he did the right thing. He recognized that short term benefits are not as good as long term gains.