Nothing Can Rob Us

April 29

Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. - Helen Keller

When we consider the obstacles Helen Keller faced, we are aware that even the simplest activities of life were challenging for her. Because of the childhood illness that robbed her of sight and hearing, she achieved the ability to speak only through the diligence and loving resolve of her teacher Anne Sullivan. Keller's parents indulged her tantrums because they didn't know how to deal with her handicaps and because they loved and pitied her too much to require anything of her. Annie Sullivan loved her too much to allow her to remain in her dark, silent, angry world and demanded that she emerge from it.

The breakthrough came when Helen herself caught the vision of what Annie Sullivan was attempting to achieve in her behalf! Great strides were made and amazing things were accomplished. The child whose world was dark and silent because of illness went on to become the first deaf/blind person to earn a bachelor's degree! Annie Sullivan remained at her side through her college years and through her lifetime as a speaker and lecturer. The example of these two women is a great source of encouragement to us as we strive to overcome our own challenges. We learn from them that when faith and diligence are applied to even the most difficult circumstances, faith and diligence triumph!

Believers are often faced with challenges that could dishearten the strongest and most resolute among us, but with JESUS by our side, we MUST TRIUMPH, we must emerge from the darkness into the light of deliverance because our Jesus will not allow us to remain shrouded in gloom. We will hear the sweet whisper of His voice that says, "You are more than an overcomer! You are more than a conqueror!” (Romans 8:37) We are TRIUMPHANT because we are PRECIOUS IN THE BELOVED! Jesus will not allow us to be deaf to His message of love, for He counts us too precious to allow us to remain in our silent world. He longs for us to emerge into the light that will allow us to see His provision for all our needs.

OUR COOPERATION is invaluable to His work of renewal within us, for when we catch His vision, He will “Give us beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness,” as He promises in Isaiah 61:3. He will show us how our loving prayers for our enemies will “heap coals of fire upon their heads,” (Proverbs 25:21, 22 and Romans 12:20). When we appropriate this vision for ourselves, we will go on to the glory upon glory that Jesus has purchased for us (II Corinthians 3:18).

Jesus wants us to know that our worth is inestimable because the Lamb of God has redeemed, restored, revitalized and revolutionized us! We no longer walk in the darkness of sin and the silence of desperation because the One who spoke the earth into existence is the Voice of creation (Genesis 1:1) and the Light of the world (John 8:12)! No darkness within us or silence around us can rob us of His power in our life’s adventure!