Beloved Friends in Christ,

When I reflect on the blessings that we enjoy as a nation, I cannot help but wonder whether or not these blessings will always be ours. Each and every day, I wake up in a cosy bed, surrounded by the comforts of home, knowing that I will have plenty of food to eat, and unconcerned about the turmoils that rage in places far distant from this land of peace. Will these blessings always be ours? I would like to believe that they will be.

But what is the basis of my thinking that way? While we are among the fortunate few of this world, could it not easily be the other way around? What is it that is preventing the impoverished or war torn nations of the world from prospering and Canada from becoming a have-not nation?

Do we believe that God has anything to do with our prosperity and peace? Of course He does. If God is truly God—if He is more than just an idea in our heads—then He is the One who is in control of all things.

That being the case, what is preventing God from sending the blessings that are ours this day elsewhere? Is it our devout faithfulness, or our compassionate generosity, or our sincere piety, or our unending purity? Do you see what I am driving at? God is showering His abundant blessings upon us not because of any inherent quality in us, rather because of an attribute of His.

It is no secret that the Christian Church in Canada is unhealthy. It is no mystery that fewer and fewer Canadians trust in God; and far fewer still spend any time in worship of Him. Nor have our eyes been obscured from seeing that even faithful Christians are not expressing their faith through righteous living and willing service.

Nonetheless, in mercy, for Christ’s sake, our heavenly Father remembers the devout faith and abundant life in Jesus that our forbearers had. Therefore, with patience He waits for our return to Him. But, for how long? Should we keep trying His patience and mercy?

By no means! Rather, having just celebrated the birthday of our great nation, let us give consideration to God’s Word, lest our current economic uncertainty become but a foretaste of far worse things to come. In the verses above, given to us through Moses, God promises His blessing to those who love the Lord and walk in His ways. That Canada may remain the recipient of His continued blessings, may our birthday gift to Canada be a turning of our hearts to Christ anew and a vigorous serving of Jesus with gladness of heart.

In His service,

Pastor Richard A. Frey