Letter to the Congregations: 4th January 2025

Our Dear Brethren,

In his letter to his brethren scattered in different places, James wanted to remind us all that we continue to struggle against our human nature. And while we are in that struggle we are also having our faith tested through various trials. Sometimes those trials are brought about by our own actions, other times by the actions of other people we might not even know. Sometimes God trials to come upon us to see our reaction as He strives to help us grow our faith in Him.

As James encouraged, do we “count it all joy” when trials come upon us, knowing that our God is with us and wants to see us grow? Do we, through trials, increase our patience towards one another and towards God? Patience is an essential element of being one of God’s faithful people.

“Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand” (James 5:7-8).

In our building of patience, James reminds us not to become irritated with one another: “Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!” (James 5:9). He gives the example of the prophets who God worked with as an example of enduring hardship and suffering. But also reminds us that these men also battled their own human nature. With God’s help, and with the patience and faith they had built, God performed miracles through many of His prophets.

“Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit” (James 5:17-18).

As I’m writing this letter, many of our brethren in southern Africa are seeking God’s help to feed their families and grow their crops. In their patience they wait to plant seed until God brings the right amount of rain. As they wait, the rest of us wait as well. And while we wait we continue to petition God for our needs, drawing close to Him and recalling that we must count even this time of struggle as joy for the building of patience and brotherly love He is working within His people!

In our prayers we can thank God for the rain He has brought to His people already, as some begin to plant. We can thank God for the brethren who have prayed and also have provided for the physical needs of our brethren. And we can continue to remember one another in prayer and in our patience as we all continue to seek God and grow.

Our love is with you,

Lewis VanAusdle

Pastor, United Church of God

NYC, NJ, CT, Malawi, Zimbabwe