TeaTime Devotional September 08th, 2025

Written By:  Eric Highsmith

Closed Mouths Don’t Get Fed

Scripture:  1 Samuel 3:10 NLTAnd the Lord came and called as before “Samuel! Samuel! “And Samuel replied “Speak your servant is listening” 

Testify:

One of many things that I'm learning on my newfound path is to be still, pay attention, and listen. The main question is: am I listening when He's calling? Am I tuned in when He’s saying my name—either to give me a message, or to use me like an Uber to deliver a message to someone else on His behalf? Actually, I never know what the outcome could be when He calls, but my job is just to answer when He does. I can tell you, from my most recent experience, His message caused me to speak up because it wasn't just for me to receive, but for me to share what was given to me as well.

Edify:

In this scripture, the purpose for the Lord calling Samuel was to simply deliver a message to Eli. God called Samuel’s name multiple times. When he finally understood who was calling, he replied, “Speak, your servant is listening.” The next morning, when it was time for Samuel to deliver the message, he was afraid to speak up; Eli practically threatened young Samuel in order to receive the message the Lord had sent.

I'm sure we’ve all had times in our lives when we were supposed to speak up but didn't because we were too worried about how it would make someone feel. Or, better yet, the times that we didn't speak up, and then realized that if we did, it could have very well changed the outcome of a situation.

I understand that hearing and seeing signs from God are not always easy, but when we sit still, listen, and pay attention to our surroundings, the messages are all around us. We just have to open our eyes and ears and be prepared to take it in if it's for us or deliver it to someone else.

Apply:

Everything in our life is a choice, and it's up to us to make the proper decision. Putting God first and listening to His direction makes those choices less difficult to decide. When He calls, will you hear Him? Will you listen to His direction? Will you see what He is trying to place before you? Will you be prepared to “SPEAK UP”? These are the questions you need to ask yourself, Afterall, closed mouths don’t get fed.