Bible Study July 14, 2025
“Rising Waters”
Matthew 5:43 – 45 (ESV)
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”
At our worship service yesterday prior to communion I mentioned the flood waters in Texas on the Guadalupe River. My point was during the rising waters of that river and the lives that were lost “God was there.” I do not know why these things happen in our world but I do know God is there for us when the waters rise in our lives. We can offer opinions on why things happen but they are only opinions.
When the waters rise in our lives we should also rest assured that God is there with us. After spending my career in the insurance field and in insurance polices we see the term “act of God” for catastrophes such as we saw in Texas. I always wondered why these are not labeled “acts of Satan” after all these types of occurrences are a result of the fall of man. True God is sovereign and allows all things to happen we still wonder – Why?
I have asked the “Why” questions in my life and I still do not know but I do know God is there with me in all that comes along. Along with the above verse He has also told us “I will never leave you nor forsake you” which is a quote from the Bible, specifically Hebrews 13:5 and Deuteronomy 31:6. It’s a promise of God’s unwavering presence and support, assuring believers that He will not abandon them. The verse emphasizes that God’s faithfulness is a constant, even amidst life’s challenges and uncertainties.
Let’s put out trust in knowing He is always with us in both the good and bad and leave the outcome to Him. We may not like the outcome but we know He knows what is best for His children.
God Bless.
Asbury Chapel 