It is with a good deal of regret that I feel compelled to write this post. I have steadfastly avoided posting anything political. My posts are about knowing God and His Word. At the same time I have not hidden my nationality. I am Canadian. It’s gratifying to know that people from around the world are reading my thoughts and reflections on the Psalms.

In recent weeks, my country has been threatened daily with annexation by Donald Trump, the president of the United States. This has produce a huge amount of stress among Canadians. To put it bluntly we love our country and have no desire to be forced into a union with any country against our will. 

Furthermore, it distresses me to see many American Christians coming under the spell of someone who shows contempt for the weak. Canadians want friendship with our American neighbors, but your president is making that difficult if not impossible.

Here is a brief reflection on two significant events that have happened in our two countries since the new year:

On Friday March 14^th, at Rideau Hall in Ottawa in the presence of the Governor General, Mary Simon, Mark Carney stepped forward with his Bible in his hand and took the oath of office pledging his allegiance to King Charles III and his heirs and successors. He thus became the 24^th Prime Minister of Canada in a long progression of leaders that extends back to 1867. In the past, Conservative Prime Ministers have done the same. There was nothing particularly unusual or partisan about this ceremony which is rich in tradition and symbolism.

Does the tradition and symbolism matter? Does history and continuity matter? I would argue that it does. It matters more now than at any time in our history since our very existence as a nation is under threat.

There was a striking contrast between how Mark Carney took the oath of office, and how Donald Trump swore to uphold the United States constitution on January 20^th, the day of his inauguration. Carney held his Bible in his hand as he took the oath.

In a sharp departure from tradition, Donald Trump did not place his hand on the Bible. His wife Melania extended the Bible toward him, but unlike every American president before him, he did not place his hand on the sacred book. This stands in contrast to the first time he took the oath of office as president in 2016. On that occasion, he placed his hand on the Bible.

Was this a minor oversight? No. Clearly this was a deliberate act—an act of calculated defiance. And what was Donald J. Trump defying? He was defying the supremacy of the law, and by extension the supremacy of God. Though he mouthed the words of the oath of office his actions said he stood apart from the law and above the law.

Every day since his inauguration he has acted in ways that defy the law, the constitution, the judiciary, and the entire legal system. This includes breaking laws and treaties that he enacted and signed in his first term, such as the trade agreement with Mexico and Canada. Should we be surprised? No. Donald Trump signaled he would do this on day one of his presidency by not putting his hand on the Bible.

The Bible that Donald Trump ignored has some choice words to say about such conduct:

 My friends, don’t say cruel things about others! If you do, or if you condemn others, you are condemning God’s Law. And if you condemn the Law, you put yourself above the Law and refuse to obey either it or God who gave it (James 4:11-12, CEV).

For people of faith Trump’s conduct should be alarming. But sadly, many have bought into the lies and animosity spouted by this man of lawlessness.

Does tradition and symbolism matter? Because the Word of God is foundational to the legal and national traditions in both United States and Canada it matters immensely. Truth matters.

As for me during this time, these words from our national anthem have deep resonance. “God keep our land glorious and free.”