FF—-FOREVER FAITHFUL
Corporal Jeffrey Lee Nashton is a former Marine Corps sergeant in the US.
On Oct. 23, 1983, a suicide bomber drove a truck load of explosives into the Marine Camp at Beirut International Airport, Lebanon, killing 241 soldiers.
Nashton, a lance corporal, just 23 at that time, was among those severely injured in the attack.
Nashton had many tubes, running in and out of his body, with grave injuries all over.
A witness would say, that ‘he looked more like a machine than a man’.
Yet, he survived!
It is said, that two days after the bombing, while lying on the hospital bed in Weisbaden, Germany…
… in deep pain and agony, Nashton scribbled two words on a note and gave to his commander, Marine Commandant Paul X. Kelley.
The two words on the note read: “Semper Fi”
“Semper Fi” is the Latin motto of the Marines.
It means: “Forever Faithful!”
The pledge of “Semper Fi”…
… strengthened the injured man, in his moments of agony and struggle!
… became the reason for the wounded person, to remain steadfast in the face of anguish!
However, life seemingly handed them something quite opposite…
Their childlessness caused to seem that the Lord had totally forgotten!
How true is this situation in our own lives too?
We bank on God’s promises that “He would provide” everything…
… but when some of our expectations fall short, we feel God is just not with us!
We feel joyful to know that God’s Providence will guide us through…
… yet, when some unforeseen and sudden mishaps happen, we feel God has forgotten us!
This is where we need to look to Zechariah and Elizabeth and be inspired by their amazing faith.
Though all possibilities of hope and expectation was “lost”, humanly speaking…
… they still kept the faith!
… they still remained true to the Lord!
… they still continued to be devout to God!