The instinct of faith

23 By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. Hebrews 11v23

Did you ever feel like you had a gut feeling about how to deal with a situation but instead you did nothing in case you made wrong choices? Perhaps you only expect God to work in one way or another...?

Joseph's circuitous journey had allowed God time to cultivate a faith in Him that helped him see beyond his own lifetime. As such he made arrangements for his bones to be relocated along with the exodus of the Israelites that he knew 'by faith' would come to pass. Faith trusts and expects. Living by faith means preparing for what will come to pass! No ifs' or maybes'!

I come now to the remarkable verse highlighted above - verse 23. The plan of God that Joseph and the Patriarch's had foreseen began to accelerate under Moses. There is mention here however of a faith contribution that can so easily be overlooked in this whole episode of God's redemptive history. We can reflect momentarily that, as per Moses' parents, some lives and contributions of faith will only gain acknowledgement in Heaven. Moses' parents had faith in the most traumatic of situations. It seems that faith arose in the hearts of Moses' parents when they saw that there was something special about their child. We would I am certain all agree that all children are special and unique but this is not what seems to be implicitly referred to in this verse.

It seems that God gave Moses' parents faith that the little bundle in their hands had destiny upon His life. There is no mention though of a specific 'word' or 'prophecy' spoken over him, just an 'instinctive knowledge' that led to fear-defeating faith inspired actions.

Michael Eaton says this about this passage,

'This is a good example of the way in which faith is not so much based upon a specific word from God but on a kind of instinctive knowledge of what God's will is. They knew that there was something very special about this child. They knew the character of God was against child-murder. This was the kind of situation where they needed no special further word from God. Their faith was instinctive.'

Is it possible that believers like you and I are nullifying the God instilled ability to take steps of faith in our lives because we are waiting for a 'neon sign' type of revelation before acting? Listen, I agree, 'Faith comes by hearing and hearing through the Word of God' however, are: the distilling of every Word we have heard in the course of our lives, the ongoing schooling and guidance of the Holy Spirit, maintaining 'faith and a good conscience' and the ability to interpret God's dealings in circumstances, any less important factors in our ability to walk and act by faith? Surely not.
Moses' parents had an instinctive faith impulse.

I believe that too often we outwit ourselves by over-reasoning situations when it would have been better to go with our gut reaction that is born of faith

not fear or the laws of probability. In outwitting ourselves we are robbed of the ability to act as people of faith who take appropriate actions at the appropriate times. The men of Issachar of old 'Understood the times and knew what to do' Our friends the Thomsons, in our home-group, highlighted this point shrewdly last week, rightly pointing out that a prophetic people not only can 'discern the times' but also know 'how to respond'. They understood the times but then also knew what to do!

This kind of instinctive working of faith empowers believers to make courageous choices that appeal to God on the basis of his known character.

Moses' parents knew there was destiny on this boy and that somehow God would make a way where there was no way. God did. The result of this was the protection of a deliverer leader through whom God would emancipate a nation.

Are you waiting for 'writing on the sky' when deep down you 'know' what you should do through 'instinctive faith'? If so, remember you have 'no ordinary destiny' as a child of the Living God. He will help you to understand the times and situations that you face and show you what you need to do.

JS