I felt like I got hit on the head at church this week! As Pastor Nathan talked about honouring the men and women who fought for the liberties we often take for granted, I had so many AHA moments and began feverishly writing. Sorry pastor, but I really didn’t hear what you spoke on after that point, but I hope you feel happy knowing you inspired this series 🙂 For today and the following two or three Mondays, my Soul H2O Devotions are a product of the revelations at church in a Series I’m calling: We Stand On Guard For Thee! You don’t even have to be Canadian to enjoy them, but it might help 🙂
O Canada, We Stand On Guard For Thee!
“I will stand at my guard post and station myself on the lookout tower. I will watch to see what He will say to me and what I should reply about my complaint.” ~Habakkuk 2:1 HCSB
For our Women In Music & Media (WIMM Canada) June event I booked the most adorable member of #LeafNation…Martina Ortiz-Luis! For those of you who don’t know her, Martina is the full-time anthem singer for the NHL‘s Toronto Maple Leafs. She’s leaving arena’s awestruck with her stellar performances and astounding voice of both national anthems: O Canada and The Star-Spangled Banner…not bad for a sixteen year old! This amazing girl came and inspired all us women working in media with her voice and her heart.
As we celebrated Remembrance Day (the Canadian version of Veteran’s Day) at church and sang our national anthem I was struck by the words in a very profound way. I thought about the state of our nation and felt like we had not kept up our end of the song to the Canadians who first sang the lyrics.
***PINTEREST PINNABLE***
The line in our anthem where the early settlers included a request for God to keep our land glorious and free is where I feel they were counting on us to partner with God to see that achieved. Sadly, we’re beginning to watch those freedoms crumble as we forget to fulfill our role to Stand on Guard For Thee.
Just like the Israelites in Habakkuk’s day, we’re all called to find our position and guard the spiritual condition of our country.
Looking into the history of our National Anthem I was filled with pride as I read the intentionality of our former leaders to pass along their faith to the next generation. Actually, there was another ‘Canadian Song’ written for our Confederation in 1867 that #LeafNation wishes was still around since it was called The Maple Leaf Forever! The chorus’ words express a desire to see God bless our nation forever.
Chorus: The Maple Leaf, our emblem dear, The Maple Leaf forever! God save our Queen and Heaven bless The Maple Leaf forever!
The words to the original O Canada Anthem were written in 1880 by a French poet and judge. Although the English translation is much different it holds the same hope that faith will guard our nation and keep it free.
May we as Canadians carry the cross for our generation and Stand on Guard For Thee!
Prayer
Father…
I thank you for the nation of Canada. I’m blessed to be a recipient of freedoms I didn’t fight for and liberties I don’t deserve. I ask that you would help me to not forget the cost of these privileges. May I uphold my part to see faith in Christ passed on to the next generation of Canadians.
In Jesus Name…Amen
[tweetthis]I will find my position and stand guard for the spiritual condition of my country.[/tweetthis]
Click Here for PART 2 or Here for PART 3
- Habakkuk 2:1
- Micah 7:7
- Ezekiel 3:17
- Psalm 85:8
If you liked the refreshing in this #SoulH2O devotion, you’ll love my latest Soul H2O Devotional book: 40 Thirst Quenching Devotions for Women.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O_Canada Website Accessed: 2017-11-05
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Maple_Leaf_Forever Website Accessed: 2017-11-05
YOU CAN OFTEN FIND ME LINKING UP WITH:
MONDAY Monday Meditations – Laura J. Davis, Soul Survival – Donna Reidland,
TUESDAY Cheerleaders of Faith #RARaLinkup – Kelly Balarie,
WEDNESDAY Coffee For Your Heart – Holley Gerth, Word Nerd Wednesdays — Liz Giertz
THURSDAY Heart Encouragement Thursday – Crystal Storms, Chasing Community – Barbara Bradford Ottinger
FRIDAY Dance With Jesus Linkup – Susan B. Mead, Grace and Truth Linkup – Arabah Joy, Counting My Blessings – Deb Wolf, Fresh Market Friday – Crystal Twaddell ELLEN’S PICKS– Ellen Graf-Martin
What an interesting post, Sherry! I am from Alabama, but have always been a huge Anne of Green Gables and Road to Avonlea fan, so I consider myself somewhat Canadian at heart! I loved the verse that you referenced from Habakkuk. Yes, it is all of our responsibility to be watchmen of the wall for our Christian Faith and values. With no one to protect them, they will disappear.
Jessica,
I think I’m the one Canadian girl who didn’t read those books. My parents had me at the dragstrip watching race cars too much as a little girl 🙂 I love the book of Habakkuk too. God has used it to speak into my life so many times. Glad you found encouragement in my Canadian post!
~Sherry
xoxo
I am not Candian, but I did enjoy your post. It was fun to hear the excitement in your words as you honored the men and women who fought for liberty.
Maree,
Canada and the US has so much to be grateful for in the men and women who fought for our liberties.
Have a blessed day!
~Sherry
xoxo
Beautiful post, Sherry. I feel a special affinity for my Canadian neighbors because my mum was Canadian; therefore, some of my favorite relatives reside north of the border, and I have good memories of visits there.
I also appreciate this post for its patriotism seasoned with a realization that we are all “under God” no matter what our national heritage.
Michele,
Ok I didn’t know you were Canadian!!!! Now I feel even closer to you. I hope you read my comment to your comment last week? We need to connect about Ellen’s Picks…
~Sherry
xoxo
Hi Sherry,
I’ve always enjoyed listening to your anthem when it’s played at hockey games. What an inspiration your teen singer must be! The verse you included from Habukkuk is so lovely, isn’t it — waiting and watching for a word from God! Sending love to you! xoxo
Valerie,
Love reading your comments <3 Praying you have a blessed day 🙂
~Sherry
xoxo