Lifelong Honesty

Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool. (Proverbs 19:1)

Yesterday we talked about young Samuel and his choice to tell the truth under difficult circumstances. Now let’s fast forward about forty years. Samuel is in his mid-fifties, his ministry is coming to a close, Israel has decided they want a king and he leads them to find a king. It is time for him to leave the stage, and he is giving his swansong. As he does, he is able to once again portray complete honesty with his people. Is there any better thing in life than to come to the end of it and be able to review your life, your ministry, the way you walked, the way you talked, the way you acted, the way you lived and not be afraid or ashamed? What was the conclusion of the people who were appointed as both judge and jury over his life?

Samuel is going to walk away with a divine certification of his honesty, and his decency, and his integrity. There is nothing better, nothing greater, nothing higher in ending whatever career God has given you than to know what everyone else knows you always speak truth with your lips, and you show truth in your actions.

So, this superstar Samuel began his life by being honest and telling nothing but the truth and he ended his life by being honest and telling nothing but the truth. God is always looking for honest people. People who will be honest whether anyone is looking or not. People who will tell the truth even when it is not popular, who will keep their promises, and whose word is their bond, because when He speaks, He doesn’t tell us anything but the truth and when we speak neither should we.

Dear Father, how grateful I am that you are an honest God who tells me nothing but the truth, for you are the Truth! I pray that you would help me to strive to be honest all the days of my life, and that I would live a life of integrity and therefore represent you well. In Jesus’ name, amen.