One year on the fourth of July our family visited historic Lower Fort Garry, north of Winnipeg. As I bought our tickets at the entrance gate a smiling Parks Canada employee said, “so you decided to spend your holiday with us, eh.” I winced just a little bit at the words, thinking that any red-blooded American would want to be on American soil for Independence Day. But there we were in Canada, and we had a wonderful time on a warm and sunny day. The children learned a great deal about the history of our part of the world. I like visiting outdoor historic sites much more than indoor museums. And I enjoy the occasional trip across the border.
Friday is Canada Day (Fête du Canada). Monday is American Independence Day. Both nations will be celebrating their national heritage and their gaining independence from Great Britain. Our independence was declared in an “in your face” declaration, which John Hancock signed in big bold letters so “King George can read it without his spectacles,” followed by a long war. Canada’s independence was gained through a peaceful act of parliament after long negotiations with Queen Victoria’s government. Together we share this continent, as well as many of the same ideals of freedom, equality, and justice.
Like most, but not all, of the nations of the world we seek divine favor. Psalm 33:12 says, “blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.” We may sing with gusto the song “God Bless America,” but north of the border they sing “God keep our land, glorious and free!” in their national anthem. And across the pond they sing, “God save the queen.” We all want God’s hand of blessing to rest upon us, and we should pray for this often.
But we should not only seek blessings from heaven but also divine wisdom and guidance. Much as we might like to think that our nation is exceptional among all the nations of the earth, God looks on all the nations of the world and judges them all by the same standards, looking for real freedom, true equality, and justice for all. No nation, not even Israel, is exempt from divine judgment, nor is any nation exempt from divine favor. 2nd Chronicles 7:14 can rightly be interpreted to apply to all nations when the Lord says, “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
As the fireworks color the sky this weekend and the star spangled banner passes in parade, let us celebrate our national heritage with humility, seeking God’s face and trusting that he will hear from heaven as we pray. “God bless America! Land that I love! Stand beside her and guide her through the night with a light from above. From the mountains to the prairies to the oceans white with foam, God bless America, my home sweet home.”
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