In the Bible, “established” often refers to something that has been firmly set up or confirmed by God, indicating stability, permanence, and divine authority. It can pertain to covenants, kingdoms, or individual lives that are grounded in faith and obedience to God’s will.
Scripture
18 But I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you.
19 And of every living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every sort into the ark to keep them alive with you. They shall be male and female.
20 Of the birds according to their kinds, and of the animals according to their kinds, of every creeping thing of the ground, according to its kind, two of every sort shall come in to you to keep them alive.
21 And you shall take for yourself of all food that is eaten, and you shall gather it to yourself, and it shall be food for you and for them.
22 Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him.
Meaning of “Established” in the Bible
The concept of “established” in the Bible encapsulates themes of divine foundation and permanence that resonate throughout both the Old and New Testaments. For instance, in Psalm 89:3-4, it is declared, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant: ‘I will establish your line forever and make your throne firm through all generations.’” This verse illustrates how God establishes covenants that assure stability and succession, emphasizing that divine appointments are firm and enduring. Similarly, in the New Testament, Matthew 16:18 reflects Jesus’ declaration, “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it,” underscoring that the Church is established by Christ’s authority and rooted in the faith of believers, safeguarded against any force that might seek to destabilize it.
The notion of being “established” is not only limited to institutions or covenants; it also pertains to the lives of individuals deeply rooted in faith. Proverbs 12:3 states, “A man cannot be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted.” This highlights the idea that true establishment comes from living in accordance with God’s righteousness and commandments, resulting in a life that reflects stability and resilience against life’s adversities. Furthermore, Colossians 2:6-7 encourages believers to remain grounded in Christ, “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” Through these teachings, the Bible presents being established not only as an act of divine confirmation but as an invitation for individuals to cultivate faithfulness and resilience in their spiritual walk, reinforcing their relationship with God and one another.
The theme of “established” extends into the hearts and lives of God’s people, linking personal integrity and faithfulness to spiritual stability. In Jeremiah, we see examples of how God’s promises establish His relationship with His people: “I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from doing good to them, and I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me.” This assurance reflects God’s commitment to establish His people in righteousness and security, emphasizing that true establishment comes from a divine relationship and a heart inclined toward reverence for God.
The New Testament also echoes this principle when discussing the establishment of believers in their faith. In Ephesians, Paul speaks of the foundational role of the apostles and prophets, indicating that the Church is built upon this divine structure. He writes about being “fitted together” as a spiritual house, suggesting that the establishment of the community of believers is a collaborative effort rooted in Christ as the cornerstone. This metaphor implies that individual believers are established alongside one another, reinforcing a sense of belonging and mutual support as they grow together in faith. Thus, the biblical perspective on being “established” encompasses a holistic vision of individual and corporate faith, grounded in the steadfast love and purpose of God, ensuring that believers are not only anchored but also actively participating in the unfolding narrative of salvation.
Divine Foundation and Authority
In the biblical context, “established” often signifies the act of God laying a firm foundation or instituting authority. This can refer to the establishment of covenants, kingdoms, or laws that are meant to guide and govern the lives of His people. When something is established by God, it carries a sense of permanence and divine endorsement, indicating that it is part of His sovereign plan.
Spiritual Growth and Maturity
The term “established” also relates to the spiritual growth and maturity of believers. It implies a process of being rooted and grounded in faith, where individuals are strengthened and confirmed in their relationship with God. This establishment is essential for believers to withstand challenges and remain steadfast in their spiritual journey, reflecting a deepening understanding of their faith and commitment to God’s teachings.
Community and Fellowship
In a communal sense, “established” can refer to the formation and strengthening of relationships within the body of believers. It highlights the importance of unity and support among members of a faith community, where individuals are encouraged to build each other up and work together for a common purpose. This establishment fosters a sense of belonging and collective identity, reinforcing the idea that believers are part of a larger family under God’s guidance.
How to Build a Stronger Faith in Christ
Building a stronger faith in Christ is a deeply personal journey that requires intentionality and openness to His presence in our lives. Start by immersing yourself in Scripture; the Bible is not just a book, but a living testament of God’s love and promises. Set aside time each day for prayer, not just to ask for things, but to listen and cultivate a relationship with Him. Surround yourself with a community of believers who can encourage and challenge you in your walk of faith. Remember, faith is not about having all the answers but trusting in God’s goodness even when life gets tough. Embrace the small moments of grace and be willing to share your struggles and victories with others. As you take these steps, you’ll find that your faith will grow, becoming a source of strength and hope in every season of life.
Bible References to the Meaning of “Established”:
Genesis 17:7-8: 7 And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you.
8 And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God.”
Exodus 6:4-5: 4 I also established my covenant with them to give them the land of Canaan, the land in which they lived as sojourners.
5 Moreover, I have heard the groaning of the people of Israel whom the Egyptians hold as slaves, and I have remembered my covenant.
2 Samuel 7:12-16: 12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom.
13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.
14 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men,
15 but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you.
16 And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.
1 Kings 2:3-4: 3 and keep the charge of the Lord your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn,
4 that the Lord may establish his word that he spoke concerning me, saying, ‘If your sons pay close attention to their way, to walk before me in faithfulness with all their heart and with all their soul, you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.’
1 Chronicles 17:11-14: 11 When your days are fulfilled to walk with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom.
12 He shall build a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever.
13 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. I will not take my steadfast love from him, as I took it from him who was before you,
14 but I will settle him in my house and in my kingdom forever, and his throne shall be established forever.”
Psalm 89:3-4: 3 For I said, “Steadfast love will be built up forever; in the heavens you will establish your faithfulness.”
4 I will establish your offspring forever, and build your throne for all generations.” Selah
Psalm 119:89-91: 89 Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.
90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast.
91 By your appointment they stand this day, for all things are your servants.
Proverbs 16:3-4: 3 Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.
4 The Lord has made everything for its purpose,
even the wicked for the day of trouble.
Isaiah 9:6-7: 6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
Isaiah 54:14-17: 14 In righteousness you shall be established;
you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear;
and from terror, for it shall not come near you.
15 If anyone stirs up strife, it is not from me; whoever stirs up strife with you shall fall because of you.
16 Behold, I have created the smith who blows the fire of coals and produces a weapon for its purpose.
17 no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed,
and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord
and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.”
Jeremiah 1:9-10: 9 Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the Lord said to me, “Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.
10 See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.”
Jeremiah 29:10-14: 10 “For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place.”
11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.
13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.
14 I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.
Ezekiel 16:60-62: 60 yet I will remember my covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish for you an everlasting covenant.
61 Then you will remember your ways and be ashamed when you take your sisters, both your elder and your younger, and I give them to you as daughters, but not on account of the covenant with you.
62 I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall know that I am the Lord,
Daniel 2:44-45: 44 And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever,
45 just as you saw that a stone was cut from a mountain by no human hand, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold.
Amos 9:11-15: 11 “In that day I will raise up the booth of David that is fallen and repair its breaches, and raise up its ruins and rebuild it as in the days of old,”
12 that they may possess the remnant of Edom
and all the nations who are called by my name,”
declares the Lord who does this.
13 “Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord,
“when the plowman shall overtake the reaper
and the treader of grapes him who sows the seed;
the mountains shall drip sweet wine,
and all the hills shall flow with it.”
14 I will restore the fortunes of my people Israel, and they shall rebuild the ruined cities and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and drink their wine, and they shall make gardens and eat their fruit.
15 I will plant them on their land, and they shall never again be uprooted out of the land that I have given them,” says the Lord your God.
Matthew 16:17-19: 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.
18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
Luke 1:68-75: 68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
for he has visited and redeemed his people.
69 and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David,
70 as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
71 that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us;
72 to show the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant,
73 the oath that he swore to our father Abraham,
74 that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
might serve him without fear,
75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
Acts 15:13-18: 13 After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me.
14 Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name.
15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written:
16 “‘After this I will return,
and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen;
I will rebuild its ruins,
and I will restore it,
17 that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name,
18 known to God from eternity are all his works
Romans 1:11-12: 11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you—
12 that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.
Romans 16:25-27: 25 Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages
26 but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith—
27 to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.
1 Corinthians 1:8-9: 8 who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
2 Corinthians 1:21-22: 21 And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us,
22 and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee,
Ephesians 3:16-19: 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Colossians 2:6-7: 6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,
7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
1 Thessalonians 3:12-13: 12 and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you,
13 so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17: 16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace,
17 comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.
2 Timothy 2:19-21: 19 But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”
20 Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable.
21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.
Hebrews 8:6-13: 6 But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.
7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second.
8 For he finds fault with them when he says: “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah,
9 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt.
10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
11 And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest.
12 For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.
13 In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.
James 5:7-8: 7 Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.
8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
1 Peter 5:10-11: 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Reverend Michael Johnson is an experienced Church Minister with a profound expertise in spirituality and guidance. With a serene presence and a compassionate heart, he has faithfully served his congregation for over 20 years, leading them on a spiritual journey towards inner peace and enlightenment. Reverend Johnson’s extensive knowledge of religious philosophies and profound understanding of human nature have made him a trusted confidant and mentor to many, as he seamlessly weaves his profound wisdom into life teachings. Reverend Johnson’s calming demeanor and empathetic nature continue to uplift and heal souls, nurturing a sense of unity and tranquility within his community.