"Semper Fi!" Always Faithful!

"Today's Devotion" For November 10, 2005

Read: Deuteronomy 6:1-5, 13-19; Matthew 6:19-24

SEMPER FI! ALWAYS FAITHFUL!

"Be sure to fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you."(I Sam.12:24)

Happy Birthday! Do you realize that today is a very special day in the United States? In fact it's a day filled with memories of services rendered, lives lost, faithfulness to duty, and patriotism. It's a day on which the phrase "Semper Fi!" (short for the Latin “simper fidelis”) is remembered not only by a nation, but more especially by a particularly special and unique corps of citizen-warriors, who have protected the nation, fought tyranny, and been at the forefront of opening the doors of freedom around the world and preserving the peace for over 200 years. This motto, "Semper Fi! Always Faithful," is at the heart and core of that service. So today we offer a Happy Birthday to the United States Marine Corps, and, incidentally, also to our son, Matthew, and Dr. Martin Luther who also share the same birthdate.

"Semper Fi!" This phrase, as noted above, is Latin for "Always Faithful." It's heart and soul is the belief that the cause of freedom and love and service to the nation are critical to the peace and tranquility of people everywhere. It's a statement of devotion to duty, obedience to orders, and a willingness to lay down one's "life for his friends." While it's a phrase that is most frequently associated with the Marine Corps, it's a phrase that aptly describes a faithful servant of the Lord, responding to Christ's love and faithfulness to him or her.

"Semper Fi!" isn't easy to be. The United States Marine Corps will tell you that they've had their share of Marines who have dishonored that commitment to duty and service. They will also point out that in so many cases, because of their training and support for one another - "Semper Fi!" also means being faithful to each other - they've overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles and the most horrible battlefield situations to gain victory. As this day is also the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther, we also remember his how he was "Semper Fi!" in relationship to God's Word and the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ despite the threats of excommunication and death by his enemies - who were, in many cases, also the enemies of Christ.

Samuel was called to be "Semper Fi!" in his relationship with God. When Samuel addressed the people of Israel at Saul's coronation as Israel's first king, he called on them to be "Semper Fi!" to God, who was faithful to them. When Moses reminded Israel of God's faithfulness in the giving of the Ten Commandments, he also called them to be obedient and "Semper Fi!" to Him. Jesus' words in Matthew from His Sermon on the Mount are a reminder to God's redeemed people to live their lives in obedient service to God and others, "Semper Fi!" because of God's love and faithfulness to them.

"Semper Fi!" It's a motto for the United States Marine Corps - but it's more than that to them; it's a way of life and service. But "Semper Fi!" has been the core of the Christian life long before the Marine Corps was ever a thought. "Semper Fi!" is the natural response of God's people to the grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness that God gives to the world in Jesus Christ. By faith in Jesus and filled with His love and faithfulness to us, we seek to live our lives in loving and faithful obedience to Him. For us, as God's redeemed children in Christ, "Semper Fi!" means giving our whole heart and life to serving Him and faithfully sharing the forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life in Christ with the whole world. "Semper Fi!" for you and me means living each day in faithful service to others in Jesus' name, touching each person we meet with His love. For us, as for the Marines, "Semper Fi!" isn't just a motto, it's the way we live in Jesus and for Him every day. So "Semper Fi!" Christian. "Always Faithful!"

("Semper Fi" to all you Marines out there - especially you, Matthew! Happy Birthday and thanks for all your faithful service to the nation and to God in the cause of freedom and peace in a troubled world. God bless!)

Prayer: Father, I thank You for Your faithfulness to Your promises to me. You sent Jesus to take the burden of my sins upon His head. By His suffering, death, and resurrection I have the hope and promise of peace with You and eternity with Christ. You forgiveness is new to me each morning and never fails me. Help me to be "Sermper Fi!" in all my life of faith so that I might be an effective witness to Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness to everyone I meet. Father, as this is a special day for a long line of faithful citizen-warriors of this nation - the United States Marine Corps - I pray that You would keep them "Semper Fi!" in their service to You, the nation, and the world in the cause of peace and freedom. May their lives reflect the love and strength they receive from You gracious hand. Keep them safe from every harm and danger as they put themselves in "harm's way" in service to others. I especially pray, gracious Father, that You would keep those in combat zones in Iraq and Afghanistan safe and bring them back home to their families and a grateful nation. Hear my prayer, gracious Father, for the sake of Jesus. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright ©2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.