1 Samuel 12:1-3
Samuel said to all Israel, “I have listened to everything you said to me and have set a king over you. 2 Now you have a king as your leader. As for me, I am old and grey, and my sons are here with you. I have been your leader from my youth until this day. 3 Here I stand. Testify against me in the presence of the Lord and his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe to make me shut my eyes? If I have done any of these things, I will make it right.”

This claim isn’t a boast by Samuel. The message he is to give will be hard to hear and demanding, they will only accept it because of the life of faithful service that precedes it. Although we may never have the status of a national leader like Samuel, the underlying principle holds – people will not listen to us or receive our witness to God, if our words are not backed up by our lives.

Spirit, help us to be faithful and honest in our dealings, so that we honour you and are seen as being credible.