Plug and Pray

UV 1614/10000 Plug and Pray
Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.
Isaiah 54 v 4
The uni-verse promises that we shall not be put to shame. We should not be confused or confounded but firm in our faith, our principles, our choices and our decisions. The shame and guilt of our early days will be a thing of the past. We no longer need to remind ourselves of the reproach of our past. We are no longer to live like a widow in sorrow, fear or shame. The widow’s lost gold coin that restored all things to us, renewed us in strength and equipped us for the future is our faith in the Lord. The purer and stronger our faith, unadulterated by false teachings and beliefs, the less we will be assailed by fears and apprehensions. We have reason now to rejoice all the time in the Lord. The words “ any more” implies that we should not lose a single second hereafter in the negativities of life on earth.

After the temptation and fall, Adam and Eve were ashamed of their nakedness and hid because of their shame and guilt. They were confused about what they were to do and how to respond to God. Hence, when we are restored in our personal relationship with the Lord, we have no cause to be ashamed or guilty. We have everlasting salvation and everlasting joy in place of guilt and shame. There is no power we have to fear as the Lord God is with us. He will help us. He will strengthen us from within. We need not fear sin, death, shame, punishment, curses, foes, losses, bad news, defeat, dishonour, failure, disease or strife. Instead, we can welcome into our lives blessings, abundant life, the esteem of the Lord, good news, victory, peace, unity, health, success, the rewards of the inner life and intimacy with the Lord.

The righteousness of the Lord that is invested in us by faith and grace is our strength. Strength is the power to endure and to overcome the temptations and challenges of life. When we do what the Lord delights in, we derive strength. This is what is meant by the expression- the joy of the Lord is my strength. When we are saddened or depressed emotionally and spiritually, we are weakened and we lose our grip on the shield of faith. When we rejoice in the Lord, our faith is strengthened further. We have a clarity of vision and mind. The closer we walk with the Lord, the greater the joy and strength. Just as they say that work stations are in a state of readiness to “plug and play”, we should be always in a state of readiness to “plug and pray.”
Prateep V Philip