Letter to the Congregations: 18th January 2025

Our Dear Brethren,

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).

This week, in speaking with some of the brethren from various places, I heard some express hope for unseen things which is encouraging to me and helps drive my own personal hope. Some expressed their hope of promised protection from God. Others their fervent desire for the day when the spiritual body of believers will dwell together in unity. Some expressed hope for reconciliation with family and brethren who have been torn apart. And others expressed their deep belief in the resurrection of the saints when they will be raised up and see their Savior face to face. I wanted to share one of these great hopes with you in a little more detail:

Healing: There are so many of our brethren who are seeking healing from God. Many have faith in the divine healing promised to them by God. In many cases they have already experienced this healing of their wounds and trust that it can and will happen again. In some cases they haven’t seen this with their own eyes but have read the promises from God of healing that will come, if not now then at the moment they will be resurrected and given eternal life. This divine healing also includes the forgiveness of our sins which only bring us the promise of death.

“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).

“Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven” (James 5:14-15).

I like the prophet Jeremiah’s expression of the hope he held so strongly, recorded in Jeremiah 17:14-17. He was definitely a man who had to have hope in things he couldn’t yet see as his nation was promised punishment and many around him persecuted him for what he spoke.

“Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for You are my praise. Indeed they say to me, ‘Where is the word of the Lord? Let it come now!’ As for me, I have not hurried away from being a shepherd who follows You, nor have I desired the woeful day; You know what came out of my lips; it was right there before You. Do not be a terror to me; You are my hope in the day of doom.”

May we continue to have hope in God’s promised healing even though we cannot yet see the greatness that is coming!

Our love is with you,

Lewis VanAusdle

Pastor, United Church of God

NYC, NJ, CT, Malawi, Zimbabwe