From Sea to Sea

Do you know Canada’s motto?

It’s on our Coat of Arms: A Mari usque ad Mare. This is Latin for a phrase that probably many Canadians have heard before, “From sea to sea.”

What many Canadians might not know is that this motto comes from the Bible, from Psalm 72:8. This Psalm is about God the King’s rule over all things:

He shall have dominion from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.

Those who founded our country recognized this truth: We might have a prime minister and premiers and even a monarch in England, but Christ is the true Lord! He’s in charge, from the Pacific to the Atlantic to the Arctic Oceans.

Someone might object, “That’s a relic from the past. It is time for a more inclusive motto, one that recognizes not everyone believes in Psalm 72 or in Jesus.”

But that misses the point. It’s not that the founding generation wished that Christ was king, or hoped that He might be sometime in the future. Christ is the king! Even today He’s ruling from his heavenly throne.

Which is really good news for Canada. This verse means there is someone who is wisely directing all events in our land, and events all around this world. Everything—good and bad—is unfolding by his perfect will, under his almighty power, and for his greater glory.

What we see is not chaos, but Christ.

It’s good news for Canada, and it is even better news for those who trust in him. For the King who is over all is also the Saviour for everyone who believes!