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“God keep our land glorious and free!” With passion and conviction, we sing this phrase in our national anthem. As we approach July 1, Canada Day – the 157th anniversary of Confederation – may this phrase – a prayer – remain forefront in our hearts and minds.

As I remember this phrase I am reminded of a man who lived in Germany during the terrifying Nazi years. His name is Martin Niemoller. Martin Niemoller was born in 1892 into a Christian home. He lived through the horrors of the First World War. After the war, he enrolled as a theology student and was ordained as a pastor in 1924. He pastored a church in Berlin.

In the 1930s, when Hitler came to power, many people, including many pastors, supported the Nazis. Martin refused. He saw how Hitler distorted the church and Christianity for his own ends. One time, in 1934, Martin Niemoller was brought before Hitler and commanded to submit to the Nazi propaganda. Martin looked straight into the face of Hitler and refused. From that day on, the secret police, the Gestapo, followed him. He was arrested six times, but each time released the following day.

Then came July 1, 1937. While Canadians celebrated the 70th anniversary of Confederation, in Germany the Gestapo came again to arrest Martin. This time he was not kept overnight. He was put on trial and sentenced to 8 years in prison. This included four years at the infamous Dachau concentration camp. He, with only another 150 prisoners, was finally released by American troops in April 1945. In June he was reunited with his wife and family. Martin spent the rest of his life caring for people in Germany. He died in 1984, aged 92.

Why tell you this as we celebrate Canada Day? One time, shortly after his release in 1945, he was asked how he found the strength keep going while he was in prison. His answer was to quote Jesus’ words from Matthew 6:34: “Don't worry at all then about tomorrow. Tomorrow can worry about itself! One day's trouble is enough for one day."

Martin Niemoller’s life is a testimony to Christ’s faithfulness and the disciple’s perseverance by the grace of Christ. Canada Day brings much for us to celebrate but let us also remember to trust in Jesus each day. He alone holds us, and he alone holds the future. God keep our land and our lives under his grace that we may bring glory to him and live in the freedom Christ gives.

Grace and peace

Pastor Callum

P.S. Thank you for your prayers for me and my family. We are taking a break in July. The weekly devotions will return in August. May you know the grace of Jesus as we enter the summer season.

視頻大意翻譯 (video Chinese translation):

“上帝保守我們的國土，光榮和自由。”懷著熱情和信念，我們唱出國歌中這句話。隨著7月1日加拿大國慶日的來到-聯邦成立157周年，願這句話—也是個禱告—留在我們心中最重要的位置。

當我想到這句話時，讓想起了一個人，不是加拿大人，而是德國人。在可怕的納粹時代他生活在德國。他的名字叫馬丁·尼莫勒（Martin Niemoller）。他於1892年出生在一個基督教家庭裡。他經歷了第一次世界大戰的恐怖。戰後，他報名成為名神學生，並在1924年被任命為牧師，在柏林牧養一所教會。

1930年代，當希特勒統治時，有許多人，包括許多的牧師，都支持納粹，但馬丁拒絕了。他看到希特勒如何為了自己的目的歪曲教會和基督教。有一次，在1934年，馬丁·尼莫勒被帶到希特勒面前，被命令屈服於納粹的宣傳。馬丁直視著希特勒，拒絕了。從那天起，秘密警察蓋世太保就跟著他。他被捕了六次，但每次都在第二天就被釋放。

接著在 1937 年 7 月 1 日，就當加拿大人在慶祝聯邦成立70周年之際，在德國，蓋世太保再次來逮捕馬丁。這一次，他沒有被關過夜。他受審並被判處8年徒刑，包括在臭名昭著的達豪集中營待了四年。1945年4月，他和其他150名囚犯最終被美軍釋放。6月，他與妻子和家人團聚。馬丁用他的餘生來照顧德國人。他於1984年去世，享年92歲。

為什麼在我們即將慶祝加拿大國慶日的時候告訴你這個？有一次，就在他1945年獲釋不久，有人問他如何在監獄裡找到繼續的力量。他的回答是引用耶穌在馬太福音6：34中的話:

“不要為明天憂慮．因為明天自有明天的憂慮．一天的難處一天當就夠了。”

馬丁·尼莫勒的一生見證了基督的信實和門徒因基督的恩典而堅忍不拔。加拿大國慶日為我們帶來很多值得慶祝的事情，但我們也要記住每天要信靠耶穌。唯有他托住我們，唯有他掌握未來。神保守我們的國土和我們的生命在他恩典之下，我們可以將榮耀歸給他，並生活在基督所賜的自由中。

讓我們禱告。

感謝你為我和我家人的禱告。我們將在七月休息一個月。每周的靈修將在八月晚些時候恢復。在進入夏季時，願你知道耶穌的恩典與你同在。