Established

"Has He not made you 

   and established you?"

Deuteronomy 32:6

The word "established" is an interesting word.  The definitions are many, including:

to set up on a firm or permanent basis;
to initiate or bring about;
to achieve recognition or acceptance for;
to take root and grow;
to show something to be true or certain

So what does it mean to say the Lord has established you?

Well, all of those, really. 

He has created you in the first place, and then strengthened you in Him.  He has given you a place and rooted you in Him.  He has molded you and grown you to be more like Him, and secured His covenant with you.

All good stuff.

But then get this:

The word "established" in Hebrew is kuwn.  It has many of the same definitions as our word "establish", such as:

to be set up, be fixed;
to be stable, secure or enduring;
to be arranged or directed

But it also means "to prepare or make ready".

So when God establishes us, it means He is preparing us for what He has for us.   Don't you love that?  Is there anything more exciting than the idea of God getting us ready?  Is there anything better than the feeling that you just can't wait for what's next?  Than being able to say, "I'm ready to serve You, Lord; bring it on!"

Now that's good stuff.

~ "be ready for every good work" ~

Titus 3:1