Celebrating Canada’s birthday

Today is Canada Day.  Canada is 138 years old.  Three things have been going through my mind – two things out of Canada, and one from and American.

Let’s start with the American.  Nashville songwriter Gary Driskell wrote these words a few years ago, a great reminder of Who is really in charge:

Second, our own nation anthem.  Especially the 4th stanza of the English version by Judge Robert Stanley Weir:

Last but not least, the national motto of Canada, A mari usque ad mare (from sea to sea).  Back in 1867 the Fathers of Confederation were discussing what the name of the new country would be.  Not coming to a conclusion,

they retired for the night.  Some of them used the extra time to pray, including Sir Samuel Tilley.  As he prayed he came to Psalm 72:8,”He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.”  The Psalm speaks of Israel’s king and looks forward to the eternal King, Jesus.

The new country was named, of course, the Dominion of Canada.

Interestingly, as we drove near the Kootenay National Park boundary we saw the plaque quoting other words from this Psalm.  This quote was used at the entrance to the park as early as 1920:  The mountains shall bring peace to the people.  This is from verse 5, and may be symbolic of Jesus’ reign of peace, where people can expect their leaders to dispense laws of peace and justice.

So why not take the time to read Psalm 72 as you celebrate Canada Day today?  And take the time to remember the eternal Ruler of this and every country.