Semper Fidelis

Today is the 235th birthday of the United States Marine Corps.  It is a day that we remember our traditions and the heroes who have established the honorable legacy of the Corps.  Around this time we often recite our honor roll; names like O'Bannon, Lejeune, Vandegrift, Basilone, and Pappy Boyington and Chesty Puller.  These are men who have displayed extraordinary courage, skill and leadership.  It was appropriate, then, that in my devotional reading today I read Hebrews 11.  It turned my attention to another honor roll.  This one of men and women who also displayed extraordinary courage and leadership, but more importantly displayed amazing faith.  Their faith was in the awesome God, creator of the universe.  Their faith was not some pie-in-the-sky wish for some positive outcome, but a well-grounded, solid conviction in the sovereignty and goodness of God.  Their faith points us to one who is truly faithful; one who has promised good to those who are his and is more than able to carry it out.  He is the ultimate embodiment of the Marine Corps motto, "Semper Fidelis".