16 February 2026 - a doubtful test

 

Today's Readings
(Audio)

He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said,
"Why does this generation seek a sign?
Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation."

These people who asked for a sign where like those about whom James wrote in his epistle. They asked for wisdom, but did not ask in faith. They were like a wave of the sea driven and tossed about by the wind. They asked in order to demonstrate that their doubts about Jesus were accurate rather than because of any openness to the fact that they might be mistaken about him. Neither faith nor true wisdom can arise from rigorous skepticism. None of us are qualified to put God to the test as though by some kind of science experiment. In some way faith must always issue from a spark that is his gift. It doesn't begin in us, but by a response to an invitation from God whose eternity precedes any interest in him on our part. We aren't so wise that we can even frame the question of the identity of Jesus in a way we could test. We can't create a valid null hypothesis that we could set out to disprove. We may be aware of the claims of the supernatural, things that transcend what ought to be possible if what is claimed of him were false. But he never seems to feel obliged to do these things just to measure up to our scrutiny. He does them when needed, and not in a lab. But then, it is not as though we are neutral observers, ready to go one way or another based on evidence. We do not stand over and above the creation of which we are a part. We have prior commitments. We are either tied down to this world by the gravity of sin or else are in some stage of responding to the invitation to faith that sets us free. This does not mean it is foolish to respond to the invitation to faith with the assent of belief, as though to do so meant relying on random chance. But it is the case that the question of truth can never be separated from the moral content of choosing for or against God. 

But if any of you lacks wisdom,
he should ask God who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly,
and he will be given it.

God gives wisdom generously to those who are sincere. When James tells us that he does not give to those who ask while doubting he does not mean that he only gives to those entirely without any doubtful thoughts whatsoever. Rather, he means that our request should be motivated by confidence. Otherwise, if we ask because we doubt, but say we desire wisdom, we will be acting in contradiction to ourselves. Jesus taught us that to the one who has much, more will be given. It is true here in matters of faith, prayer, and wisdom. But no one need start with little or nothing. We all have the option to begin, either on the basis of our own poverty, or with the abundance God never ceases to offer us.

The brother in lowly circumstances 
should take pride in high standing,
and the rich one in his lowliness, 
for he will pass away "like the flower of the field."

The Pharisees imagined that they already possessed wisdom. By insisting on this illusion they prevented themselves from being open to actually receiving it. But, as Scripture says, he gives wisdom to the simple (see Psalm 19:7). Thus we must become like children. We must, as the saying goes, empty our cup, so that God can fill us.

 

Songs In His Presence - Psalm 19: Lord, You Have The Words