“The LORD, the God of heaven, who took me from my father’s house and from the land of my kindred, and who spoke to me and swore to me, ‘To your offspring I will give this land,’ he will send his angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there.” (Genesis 24:7, ESV)

Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:1-6). Faith is what the Lord draws out of us and what He seeks to strengthen in us. But faith is like a muscle that cannot be strengthened without being tested. Abraham had already undergone the greatest test of his faith when God told him to offer Isaac as a burnt offering. Abraham passed this test with flying colors. But now Abraham was taking his own venture of faith. He was doing something that he knew needed to be done—namely, finding a wife for Isaac. He took the initiative, trusting that God would make a way.

Abraham sent his chief servant back to his homeland. He didn’t want Isaac to marry a Canaanite girl, but to find someone from among his own people. He had probably been praying about this because he told his servant that God would send His angel before him to prepare the way. How did Abraham know this? Did God reveal it to him? Or did he have such great confidence in the LORD’s provision that he just knew it would happen?

This is the essence of faith. Often in my life I just feel prompted to do something. I don’t necessarily have a specific Bible verse; it just seems like the right thing to do. I will pray and ask God for wisdom, grace, and open doors. Then I will step out to see what the Lord will do. We call these initiatives ventures of faith. Honestly, the most rewarding things I have done in life have happened this way, including moving from Sacramento to Boise to start a church and even starting the Simply the Bible radio program, podcast, and devotional.

Do you feel prompted to take a venture of faith? Are you facing a practical matter where you need God’s help? Is there someone you have been thinking about that you feel led to reach out to? If you are walking with the Lord, then you can trust that the things which are important to you are important to God. Pray today that God will deepen His desires in you and prepare a way to fulfill them.