Talking Truth to Ourselves

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:28-31).

We recently started attending a group at church where we’re reading The Discipline of Grace by Jerry Bridges. Each week, we go to our corners and read a chapter. Then, we all come back together to discuss how we are thinking and how we are processing what God seems to be doing in each of our lives. There are about 20 of us, and we are such a diverse group. It’s great to hear how everyone is striving to live a life of holiness while at the same time trying to rest in God’s amazing grace.

Chapter 3, “Preach the Gospel to Yourself,” was monumental for us when we first read it. Years ago, it was almost as if a light had been turned on when we ran across this concept. Indeed, nothing has motivated our desire for holiness and our confidence in the grace of God as has our daily reminders of the good news of the gospel.

It’s important to speak truth to yourself. Even for those of us who are Christians, it’s important to be about the work of regularly preaching the gospel to ourselves. If we don’t remind ourselves often of God’s truth, we are sure to sink into legalistic, performance-based, and discouraging thinking that is not of God.

As we wait on word about our Benjamin, we are having to talk truth to ourselves on a minute-by-minute basis. When we think about how we wish we could go and get him soon, and when we think about the fact that we can’t go until somebody tells us we can go, it’s easy to get restless. We’re tempted to be frustrated. If we're not careful, we can quickly grow weary.

We didn’t pass court on February 22, and not only were we assigned a court date of March 9—we were also told that the United States Embassy in Ethiopia may start taking a bit longer to process adoptions than before. This means that our travel to bring Benjamin home could take place later than we had originally hoped. We’re glad that all i’s will be dotted and that all t’s will be crossed, but we sure do want to get over there as soon as we can.

While there is nothing we can do but wait, we remind ourselves of God’s truth. Benjamin gets older every day as we wait, but we are forced to look to that truth which is constant, unchanging and eternal.

We certainly don’t feel it right now, but we are confident that God is working his purpose in all things. We sure are looking to Romans 8:28 a lot these days. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

We recently received photos of Benjamin from a couple in Kentucky who just returned from Ethiopia. They went there to get their two children, and while they were there they were gracious to hold Benjamin for us, to give him a care package from us, and to take lots of photos of him for us. (We can't wait to be able to post pictures of Benjamin!) It’s hard not to look at those pictures of him and think, Why can’t we be there? Why can’t we go get him? Can’t we just get on with this? We’re missing out on being together as a family. But as those thoughts begin to descend upon us, we remind ourselves that there’s a much bigger story being written, and it’s not our story. It’s God’s story—a story which we’ll only be able to partly understand years from now.

Jesus told his disciples, I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world (John 16:33). Followers of God are not guaranteed immunity from tribulation. Difficulty and strain are natural parts of life. However, in the midst of it all we are promised the peace which is in Christ. Again and again, we remind ourselves, do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).

Although we would like to travel soon, our peace is not found in how quickly we can go get Benjamin. Our peace is not found in our families or our friends, and our peace is not found in our possessions. No. As Paul says, …he himself is our peace… (Ephesians 2:14). Our peace is found in Christ alone.

We sang the following song at church this morning:

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord

Our God, You reign forever
Our hope, our Strong Deliverer
You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint
You won't grow weary

You're the defender of the weak
You comfort those in need
You lift us up on wings like eagles
(Chris Tomlin)

Everyone was singing, but we felt as though the song was just for us.