Letter to the Congregations: 22nd August 2026

Our dear brethren,

“Bless the Lord, O my soul!”

This is how Psalm 104 begins. The unnamed psalmist goes on to describe the ease of which our God has laid out various parts of creation: “Who cover Yourself with light as with a garment, who stretch out the heavens like a curtain” (Psalm 104:2). The creation of the angels is mentioned as servants who are “a flame of fire” (see vers 4). The foundations of the earth were laid by the hands of Jesus Christ (all things created through Him with the Father as a completely cooperative effort). Eventually the beast of the field are mentions, including wild donkeys, birds of the heavens, and even the plants created to sustain both man and cattle.

In the creation we can see the power that our Creator has, and we can also see how we, and all the creatures of the earth, are so easily sustained by Him: “These all wait for You, that You may give them their food in due season” (Psalm 104:27). The psalmist was also inspired to mention the fact that God “appointed the moon for seasons” as part of the keeping of time (see Psalm 104:19) which should remind us that it is God who sets the timing of His annual festivals that correspond with certain seasons of the earth (at least in certain places).

That phrase, “food in due season” and in some translations “meat in due season” always reminds me of the fact that the pastors and teachers Jesus Christ has set in place for the edification of His people try and give spiritual food at appropriate times of the year. This means as the Passover approaches we try and whet the appetites of the people for the consumption of the story of the Passover and its meaning. The same for all the festivals each in their season. But this concept of “food in due season” isn’t solely a reminder for pastors to preach about the Feast of Tabernacles or the Passover. It’s also a reminder to each and every individual who has covenanted with God personally to take in the food that God has given them “in due season.”

For instance, when God sets a feast at a certain time and invites us to it, do we accept that invitation and show up? And do we prepare for each festival by taking in the meat that is the word of God, as well as taking in the meat in due season that is shared with us by our teachers? Do we consistently take the blessings God has given us to keep His feasts and use them for the intended purpose (i.e. keeping our second tithe for keeping the Feast of Tabernacles)? If we refuse to keep the feasts that God has invited us to (these are commanded festivals), and if we refuse to take in His word and let it shape our lives, then we are refusing the very food that God has prepared for us! If we say we are waiting for the “food in due season” from our God, then how can we possibly refuse what He is giving us?

As we are preparing for the upcoming Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles let’s remember to take in the food that we truly hunger for, the very food that our Creator has prepared for us! That way we won’t be left hungry but will instead have plenty of “food in due season” to sustain us for another year.

Our love is with you,

Lewis VanAusdle

Pastor, United Church of God

NYC, NJ, CT, Malawi, Zimbabwe