Semper Fi
By Emil C. Liko

President Bush concluded his recent message to the Marines and families at Camp LeJeune with, "May God bless our country and all who defend her. Semper Fi." This centuries-old phrase has penetrated our nation's awareness over the last few weeks in the midst of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The Marine Corps adopted Semper Fidelis as its official motto in 1883 (Semper Fidelis is also the title of the official Musical March of the Marine Corps). Translated from Latin, Semper Fidelis means 'Always Faithful.' U.S. Marines use an abbreviated verbal version, 'Semper Fi,' to voice loyalty and commitment to their comrades in arms. (1)

The Marines pledge an allegiance of undying faithfulness to each other, that they will remain faithful in ALL situations, even to the point of death.

Jesus pledged His allegiance not as an undying faithfulness, but as a dying faithfulness. He died on the cross for us. He didn't wait for something to happen to show His faithfulness to us. Instead, Jesus showed He was faithful FIRST, by taking the first step and dying on the cross. It was not TO the point of death; it WAS His death.
The Marines pledge that no one who falls on the battlefield will be left behind. But Jesus died so that anyone who believes in His resurrection will not be left behind, but instead will live with Him for all eternity. That's how He proved His faithfulness. He's not just Always Faithful- He's Faithful to ALL. "Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments;" (Deuteronomy 7:9)

In a world full of so many uncertainties, Jesus will never leave us and never forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). After all, it wasn't the nails that held Jesus to the cross. Actually, it was Jesus who held on to the cross out of endless love for us.

Are we "always faithful" to Jesus? The last time you became really upset at your circumstances, did you think about walking away from the Lord? In our anger, we sometimes want to leave Him and forsake Him.

What if we applied Semper Fi to our lives, to our Lord? We need to be as faithful to Jesus as He is to us, knowing that WE will never leave or forsake HIM regardless of whatever situation arises. In every circumstance in our lives, Jesus proves faithful, beyond a shadow of a doubt. We never have to look over our shoulder to see if He's still there, because we KNOW that He will be there. Are you willing to make an allegiance to the Lord, even to the point of death?

I pray that you will never look at Semper Fi in the same way again.
JESUS, SEMPER FI!

1 - Excerpt from Warrior Culture of the US Marines, copyright 2001, Marion F. Sturkey.