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  STABLISH, STRENGTHEN, SETTLE YOU
  by A.B. Simpson
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Summary: To establish a strong relationship with God, we must make a
definite commitment, stay put during the season of establishing and
testing, and trust in God's spiritual guidance.

Topics: "Commitment to Christ", "Spiritual Growth"
Scripture References: Psalm 37:5, Isaiah 41:10, Romans 5:3-5, 2 Corinthians 1:21-22, Ephesians 3:16, Philippians 1:6, Colossians 2:6-7, Hebrews 10:23, James 1:12, 1 Peter 5:10

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DESCRIPTION
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A.B. Simpson emphasizes the necessity of having clear understanding and
confidence in our relationship with Christ before making a commitment to
Him. This commitment must be definitive and irrevocable, akin to
planting a tree or a bride at the altar. Following this commitment,
believers enter a period of establishment and testing, where they must
remain steadfast until their new relationship with Christ becomes a
permanent aspect of their lives. Simpson likens this process to a
surgeon stabilizing a broken bone, highlighting that God provides
spiritual support during this formative time. Ultimately, he reassures
that the God of all grace will stablish, strengthen, and settle us after
we have endured trials.

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CONTENT
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In taking Christ in any new relationship, we must first have sufficient
intellectual light to satisfy our minds that we are entitled to stand in
this relationship. The shadow of a question here will wreck our
confidence. Then, having seen this, we must make the committal, the
choice. That commitment must be just as definite as the planting of a
tree in the soil, or the bride who presents herself at the marriage
altar. It must be once for all, without reserve, without recall. Then
there is a season of establishing, settling and testing, during which we
must stay put until the new relationship gets so fixed as to become a
permanent habit.

For example, when the surgeon sets the broken arm he puts it in splints
to keep it from moving until the bone knits.

So God has His spiritual splints that He wants to put upon His children
to keep them quiet and unmoving until they pass the first stage of
faith. It may not be easy, but the God of all grace, who hath called you
unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a
while, [will] . . . stablish, strengthen, settle you.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/ab-simpson/stablish-strengthen-settle-you/
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