God tells us, "Be still, and know that I am God," and "In quietness and confidence shall be your strength" (Psalm 46:10; Isaiah 30:15). And Jesus practiced what the Bible preaches. Several times in the Gospels it says that Jesus rose before the break of day, before His disciples were awake, in order to get alone with His Father and get His instructions for the day. At other times He left the multitudes and His disciples and went off to a secluded place to pray. If even Jesus had to do it, how much more we need to do it!

We all need quiet times with the Lord--when we step out of our busy routines to rest our minds and spirits, commit our problems and cares to Him in prayer, get strengthened by His Word, and be refreshed by a few moments of sweet fellowship with Him. In fact, many of His promises are contingent on our doing just that. "Come to Me... and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28); "Call to Me, and I will... show you great and mighty things" (Jeremiah 33:3); "Abide in Me... and [what you ask] shall be done for you" (John 15:7).

If you will set aside 10 or 15 minutes each day--more would be even better--for "quiet time" with the Lord, you will find that your days will go a lot smoother. It doesn't have to be at a set place or time, or follow any particular ritual. Just stop what you're doing and think about the Lord. Share your heart with Him, and listen to His still small voice in your heart give you the answers, encouragement, and strength you need to face your day. "Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint" (Isaiah 40:31).