Semper Fidelis, Latin for “always faithful,” has been the Marine Corps’ motto since 1883. It embodies the Corps’ values of honor, courage, and commitment. According to its public website, the “United States Marines are a family that fights together, finding individual purpose in a collective cause—the protection of our Nation and the advancement of its ideals. Side by side, we welcome obstacles and thrive on challenge. Each Marine stands as a vital part of a united force, greater than any individual, more fulfilled than ever before.”
Truly, our military veterans, current servicemen, and in particular, the Marines are another breed. When the majority seeks comfort and dodges danger, the faithful soldier heeds the call and runs to the rescue. Hence, in their promotional spots, the Marines have often been known as “The Few.” Clearly, faithfulness is hard. If it were easy, everybody would be faithful.
Similarly, faithfulness to God is costly. As people of a faithful God and children of a faithful Father, faithfulness should be a hallmark of every believer. Yet, faithfulness doesn’t simply appear out of nothing. It must be cultivated. David wrote “Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness” (Ps 37:3). The Hebrew word translated “befriend” literally means to graze on or cultivate. As a former shepherd, David used shepherding or agricultural terms to explain the all-important connection between trusting a faithful God and responding faithfully. Therefore, faithfulness cannot be forced or willed, because it is a posture of the heart that is nourished and grown with submission to God, the Holy Spirit through spiritual habits like fasting and prayer.
Few joined Ezra’s appeal to return to Jerusalem (Ezra 8). However, those who heeded the call did so for more than rebuilding a consecrated nation. They faithfully trusted YHWH – the faithful covenant keeping God – because they longed to be near Him. That was the collective cause that convinced them to abandon their present comfort for the advancement of God’s glory.
There are very few to whom the term “faithful” is ascribed. The apostles, Peter and
Paul, mention some. So, will you be the next Silas (1 Pet 5:12), Tychicus (Eph 6:21), Epaphras (Col 1:7), or Onesimus (Col 4:9)? Will you be like the few faithful men and women who heeded the call, leaving the comforts of Babylon behind, to journey to Jerusalem? If so, let us faithfully seek Him together!
Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV) – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”