Happy Canada Day
Wednesday July 1, 2015
Canada's coat of arms is a picture filled with symbols that are meaningful. You'll find lions that represent kingly authority. The motto "desiderantes meliorem patriam” (they desire a better country) reminds us that most of us are hope filled immigrants who were given hospitality here. The symbols link us to the heritage of many whose ancestors came from France or England. A crest on the royal helmet symbolizes valour and courage. Figures on either side of the shield are known as supporters and are depicted with great strength.
Underneath all of these symbols are the words, "A mari usque ad mare" (from sea to sea) taken from Psalm 72, a prayer for God's authority and rule to be represented in all that holds this country together.
Endow the king with your justice, O God, the royal son with your righteousness. May he judge your people in righteousness, your afflicted ones with justice. May the mountains bring prosperity to the people, the hills the fruit of righteousness. May he defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; may he crush the oppressor. May he endure as long as the sun, as long as the moon, through all generations. May he be like rain falling on a mown field, like showers watering the earth. In his days may the righteous flourish and prosperity abound till the moon is no more. May he rule from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth. (Psalm 72:1-8 NIV)
Thousands of years ago this prayer went up from earth to heaven on behalf of a land and the king ruling over it. The prayer asks for the king to be endowed with God’s justice and that the king would rule the people with justice. God is asked to prosper the land; that the afflicted would be defended; and the children protected. God is beseeched to bless the people with prosperity and righteousness to rule in all the land from sea to sea. God is asked to have dominion (influence and authority) over all the country.
May this be our prayer on this 2015 Canada Day. As we see the Coat of Arms, as we sing our national anthem may we lift our hearts to God praying, “God keep our land glorious and free.”
©2015 Partners in Hope
More information on this and other related topics @ www.partnersinhope.ca/resources
Audio for Happy Canada Day
Recent Meditations
Giving Hope
Partners in Hope is supported wholly by our friends and community. We are thankful to everyone who partners with us to help bring hope to the discouraged, hurting, and hopeless.