A Thought For The Week Of July 1

"He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth." (Psalm 72:8, KJV) As I mark Canada Day - the 146th anniversary of Canadian Confederation, I found myself drawn to this verse. I don't very often use the King James Version of the Bible, but the KJV version of this verse in significant in this country. Our national motto - "A mari usque ad mare" - comes from the Latin Vulgate translation of the Bible, and it means "from sea to sea." Partly, this verse also gives significance to the fact that our country is, technically, the Dominion of Canada. Historically, I suppose, it meant we were a dominion of the British crown, but there's also an attempt to link the nation with God. That can be a dangerous thing. Religion and nationalism or patriotism are not always easy fits, and the attempt to blend the two can result in a lot of tragedies, with the nation becoming little more than an idol, and doing the will of the nation becoming more important than doing the will of God. Nations, after all, are always convinced that God is on their "side" whenever they march off to war. I suppose, in a way, God is on all sides of war - reaching out to the warriors, and trying to remind all of the gospel imperative to love not only neighbours, but even enemies. That's one reason I like to remember this national motto, this verse of Scripture, and what it means (or should mean) in our national life. There's no corner of life (not even our relationship to our nation) that falls outside God's dominion - outside God's sovereignty. And the same applies to all nations. God is not the God of Canada, or the God of the United States, or the God of Iran. God is the God of Canadians - and also of Americans and of Iranians. God is simply God, and God calls us to an allegiance beyond patriotism - an allegiance to the gospel values of love, peace, compassion and reconciliation. I'm proud to be a Canadian, yes. Most certainly. But I'm grateful to be a child of God. That's far more precious. Have a great week!