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Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 (NKJV)

When you hear the word ‘established’ what picture comes to your mind? Is it a stately Oak Tree standing alone in a large field, or a lone pine tree rising tall and proud in the midst of a rocky outcropping? Do you think of the corner drug store, now in its fourth generation and having weathered world wars, depressions and recessions to continue serving its community? Or, perhaps, you see the white haired gentlemen sitting in the second pew on the left side of the sanctuary?

Established. It brings a sense of security, comfort, trust and reliability. So much so that when something we’ve thought of as established fails there is a definite sense of loss, even if it doesn’t personally affect us.

In the Apostle Paul’s second letter to the church in Corinth, he reminds his readers, and us, that we are established. But what does that mean to us as believers? What benefit to we have in that description?

First of all, we are established in something that is immovable. Jesus Christ is described in the book of Hebrews as being the same yesterday, today and forever. Were Jesus on the stock exchange we’d purchase his stock with complete confidence because we would know he was going to be around for a while.

Not only are we established in something immovable, we are established by someone immovable. We are established IN Christ BY God the Father. Generally, if someone begins a business, or a relationship, or develops a product or service that stands the test of time, it does so because the person doing the establishing knows what he’s doing. Being established means you have what it takes to do the task at hand in whatever situation you are in consistently over time.

Very few things in society can claim to be established according to that definition. Times change. Relationships fail. Social and political winds shift without notice. While it seems there are fewer and fewer things we can rely on, one thing remains certain and that one thing is you.

So, when it seems as there here is nothing you can count on, remember that you have been established by the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Because of that, you have the power to withstand any political, social or physical attack that may come your way. Your ability to remain established during the storms of life is not dependant on your strength but on Gods ability to keep you established.

PRAYER: Father God, there are so many things in life that once seemed secure and are not. Thank you that my security rests on the establishment of my soul with you. May I ever be aware that my success is not dependent on my strength but yours. Amen.