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

MARTINA AT WIMMFor 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.

Oh Canada- We Stand on Guard For Thee
***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.

HABAKKUK 2:1

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!

O CANADA ORIGINAL

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

 Drawing From The Well - Brown and Blue

  1. Habakkuk 2:1
  2. Micah 7:7
  3. Ezekiel 3:17
  4. 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.
  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O_Canada Website Accessed:  2017-11-05
  2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Maple_Leaf_Forever Website Accessed:  2017-11-05

BLOGGER PRAYERS-GREYYOU 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 GerthWord Nerd Wednesdays — Liz Giertz
THURSDAY Heart Encouragement Thursday – Crystal Storms, Chasing Community  Barbara Bradford Ottinger
FRIDAY Dance With Jesus Linkup – Susan B. MeadGrace and Truth Linkup – Arabah JoyCounting My Blessings – Deb Wolf, Fresh Market Friday – Crystal Twaddell ELLEN’S PICKS– Ellen Graf-Martin

 

Sherry Stahl