Today marks the birth date of the Marine Corps.

In 1775, the Continental Congress passed a resolution declaring that “two battalions of Marines be raised” for service as landing forces with the Naval fleet. This formation of the Continental Marines marked the birth of the United States Marine Corps, which was officially commissioned through an act of the new United States Congress in 1798.

Serving on both land and sea, the early Marines supported General George Washington when he crossed the Delaware River to surprise the Hessians in New Jersey. They fought alongside John Paul Jones on his ship. They participated in many operations during the War of 1812, fighting alongside Andrew Jackson in defeating the British at New Orleans. Since their inception, the Marines have served in all the wars of the United States and have carried out more than 300 landings on foreign shores.

One of the defining characteristics of the Marine Corps is its motto, Semper Fideles—a constant reminder of the Marine’s devotion to the Corps and Country. These two words, meaning “always faithful,” describe a Marine’s commitment to his or her duty. The Corps proudly points out that Marines throughout their history have lived up to this motto, as proved by the fact that there has never been a mutiny among the Corps.

Faithfulness, staying true to someone or something in thought, word, and action, is part of God’s very character (Psalm 89:8). The Bible tells us that God’s faithfulness is great (Lamentations 3:23), unfailing (2 Timothy 2:13), and that it will never end (Psalm 146:6). God will do what he says he is going to do—and the proof of that is his Son, Jesus.

Even when our faith is weak and we have trouble staying faithful, God will be there and will take care of us.

He is always faithful.

God will surely do this for you, for he always does just what he says, and he is the one who invited you into this wonderful friendship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord (1 Corinthians 1:9).

To Do

Do you know the “The Marines’ Hymn”? Find a recording today and listen to it. Or find a copy of it and read it. The first two lines refer to battles fought early on in the Marines’ history.

Also on this day

1483—Martin Luther was born.

1951—Direct dial telephone service was first available coast to coast.

1969—Sesame Street premiered on PBS.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.