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Psalm 72:8 – He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. (KJV)
Back in 1866, when the founding fathers of Confederation were discussing naming Canada, Sir Samuel Leonard Tilley was reading the Bible one morning. While reading Psalm 72, he was inspired by the words of today's verse. His suggestion that the new nation be named "The Dominion of Canada" was accepted.
Engraved on the walls and appearing in the stained-glass windows of the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa, Ontario, are at least 25 Scripture verses. Over each of the arched exterior windows of the Peace Tower, the following Scriptures from the King James Version are inscribed:
- Over the east window: "He shall have dominion also from sea to sea." (Psalm 72:8)
- Over the south window: "Give the King thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the King's son." (Psalm 72:1)
- Over the west window: "Where there is no vision, the people perish." (Proverbs 29:18)
As the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada points out:
- The largest bell [in the carillon] is the one that is heard ringing in the new hour. Of particular interest is that on this largest bell [is] inscribed … the Scripture verse announcing the birth of Jesus Christ to the shepherds, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will to men" (Luke 2:14). While politically correct thinking occasionally attempts to dilute the true meaning of Christmas, every hour of every day there is a reminder of the angelic message proclaiming the Messiah's birth. (christianity.ca)
In many legislatures and schools, however, the Bible is now considered hate literature. We live in an anti-Christian political climate, where some people are trying to destroy Christianity and family values, and others are engaging in lawless demonstrations and riots with destruction of property, looting, and setting buildings and businesses on fire. Many of our brothers and sisters around the world live in fear of being persecuted and killed because of their Christian faith. To be caught with a Bible can mean beatings, being sent to a forced-labour camp, or death. Many governments throughout the world have dictators who do not want religion to influence their country. Many people fear what lies ahead of us, so we need to turn to the Lord with our prayers for all nations and all of God's people in all corners of this world and seek Him to help us through these troubling times.
Let us turn to our Bibles and be inspired by God's words.
Psalm 56:3-4 – But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me? (NLT)
Prayer: Most gracious Father, we pray that all nations throughout this world would come to respect the values and message of the Bible, just as the wise leaders did who brought together the Dominion of Canada from sea to sea. We pray that You would put a stop to the killing and persecution of Christians all over this world. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
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Amen, Larry.
Thank you, Larry, for this inspiring message and the information about Canada’s scriptural foundation.
Very interesting devotional. I learned something new today about Canada.
Thank you.
I am sorry that the schools in Canada are misusing the words in the Bible.
As a veteran educator in the State of Florida, this is not happening here.
Good Morning Larry,
Powerful and sobering devotional! May it spur believers on to keep up the good fight and lift Christ’s banner higher. All for God’s Glory!
Larry, thanks for sharing your well written, clear thoughts. We can’t leave God out of our world without disastrous results! God is The Creator! God surrounds us to invite us to remember and return.
Blessings.
What an interesting post, Larry! I have three university degrees and did not know this information. Unfortunately, in the interest of political correctness, a lot of history is lost to younger generations.
Thanks for sharing and God bless!
Thanks Larry, for todays’ devotion.
This nation was formed with the Bible as it’s backbone and today the council is trying to move us into a more secular society.
We pray that there will always be God fearing people representing the nation of Canadians.
We are a truly Christian country, and I only pray, that it doesn’t change.
Thanks again,
(Quebec)
Dear Larry,
Thank you for sharing your knowledge of how we got the name Dominion of Canada and the Bible verses in our Parliament. I found that very interesting. I have been to the Parliament buildings twice but did not notice them. I really liked the information about the Hour Bell and every hour it proclaims the birth of Christ. If every hour, I remembered to thank Christ for all he provides, I would have a better day. It is a goal to strive towards. Thank you for your encouragement to read the Bible and be inspired. May your prayer be answered.
Hi Larry:
I want to thank you for your wonderful devotional. I did not know that about the inscriptions on the Carillon or the Peace Tower. It makes me very happy knowing that they are there.
We must fight the good fight and continue to pray to our Lord God for the help we need here in Canada to stand up for God and pray for those around the world who need God’s strength while they suffer for His Name’s sake.
May our great God bless you in your work.
I could not be more disappointed in today’s devotional. It reads like a Republican Party diatribe. Canada does not have “founding fathers” of any kind. That is an American term. We have Fathers of Confederation who were not founders, but builders. Canada existed before 1867, in another form. Further, the term “politically correct” is a dog whistle for intolerance. And as for the public schools turning the Bible into hate literature, that is pathetic. Public schools are for everyone, not just Christians. Am I to believe that this devotional, in your eyes, is to be used as a document of distrust? That is how it reads.
There is far too much spirit of politics in today’s message, and very little of a spirit of acceptance and kindness. I think I am like countless others who are sick and tired of a right-wing agenda co-opting the word of God. This devotional oozes that kind of heartless thought. No thanks. Not for me.
I didn’t know about those inscriptions.
Delighted to know.
Thank you.
Good devotional. I read it with interest. It is indeed amazing how things how changed over the years. I dwell on that quite often.
Thank you for writing.