We sometimes joke about waking up on the wrong side of the bed, but we don’t talk nearly enough about going to sleep on the right side. And if we make plans to connect with God first thing in the morning, why not pray to Him as our last act of the night?
As our first love, ideally, God should be who we seek first when a day starts and ends. Establishing a rhythm with God is bound to produce fruit in our lives. We’ll learn more about Scripture, deepen our relationship in prayer, grow into the image of Christ, and find ourselves focusing less on the world, and more on what the eye does not see.
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” (Colossians 3:2)
Easier said than done, but so worthwhile. If you’re interested in going to bed on the right side, consider these 15 Bible verses to end your day. Read them, write them, and recite them. The more you know Scripture, the more you can use God’s Word in your time of need.
15 Bible Verses to End Your Day
1.“This is the day the Lord has made; let’s rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24)
What a positive way to end the day, expressing gratitude and contentment with what God has provided. Every day doesn’t include what we ask of Him, but every day includes Him giving us what we need.
2.“The Lord is my shepherd; I have what I need. He lets me lie down in green pastures; Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! He leads me beside quiet waters.” (Psalm 23:1-3)
This verse from David reminds us that God acts as a guide for those who choose to follow Him. He will lead us into peace and into a place where all of our needs are met.
3.“We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
Throughout our entire lives, there will be good days and there will be bad days. Sometimes those bad days are consecutive and seem to go on forever. No matter how long your dark season lasts, those nights spent crying are all for a purpose. This is a promise from God that all things work together for good. Good things and bad things.
4.“You will keep the mind that is dependent on you in perfect peace, for it is trusting in you.” (Isaiah 26:3)
Trust in God is very different from trust in the world. That’s why His peace is perfect and the world's is not. God is not prone to fallibility like people. When we find peace in Him, we don’t lose it due to circumstances. That’s a helpful truth to remember during any sleepless night.
5.“When I observe your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you set in place, what is a human being that you remember him, a son of man that you look after him?” (Psalm 8:3-4)
Sometimes we struggle with anxiety, depression, and doubt because we focus too much on our situations. And really, sometimes we focus too much on ourselves. If we can take a step back and remember who holds the world in place, we’ll see that what appears dire to us is nothing in comparison to God’s sovereignty.
6.“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)
We can choose to be bitter with God, upset that He hasn’t blessed us in desired ways. However, deciding to rejoice in Him will lead to many more days ending on a positive note.
7.“Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord cares for me.” (Psalm 27:10)
Going to bed with a looming divorce, a strained relationship, or an ask-risk job can feel very unpleasant. Whatever discomfort we face, God cares for us. His love is not dependent on that of people.
8.“Be angry and do not sin. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger, and don’t give the devil an opportunity.” (Ephesians 4:26-27)
If we want to wake up in a good mood, going to sleep on the right note is a great idea. The idea behind this verse is to not allow anger to fester. This tidbit of wisdom is helpful for other negative feelings too.
9.“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalm 46:10)
Recognizing how great God is helps us keep life in proper perspective.
10.“‘For I know the plans I have for you’—this is the Lord’s declaration—'plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’” (Jeremiah 29:11)
God’s promise for good plans means we can stay encouraged. Whether we are in a season of goodness or one of suffering, good plans will come again in the future.
11.“As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:12)
Guilt can make any day end on a sour note. Offending God or offending people does not produce Christian joy. Thankfully, guilt is not how we have to end the day. God forgives us.
12.“Aren’t two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s consent. But even the hairs of your head have all been counted. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:29-31)
God is in such control of our lives. We can look to nature as a great example. What does He do for the birds, the bears, squirrels, the insects? What more will He do for us?
13.“There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears is not complete in love.” (1 John 4:18)
Fear keeps us up at night. Sometimes our fears cause such stress we have nightmares. But if we love God and He loves us, what do we truly have to fear?
14.“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a difficult time.” (Proverbs 17:17)
Thank God for the people in our lives who care and look after us. They remind us of the good in life. And they help us to embrace every new day.
15.“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)
Conclusion
You may not have the best habit of reading Scripture in the morning or at night. You may not have the best habit of praying to God throughout the day. Those shortcomings don’t stop God from loving you. Your suffering doesn’t prevent His love. He seems to love us no matter what!
Let us respond in kind, thanking Him, praising Him, and going to bed meditating on this wonderful truth. Even if today wasn’t so great, there’s beauty we can find tomorrow.
Photo Credit: Unsplash/Priscilla Du Preez
Aaron D'Anthony Brown is a freelance writer, hip-hop dance teacher, and visual artist, living in Virginia. He currently contributes to Salem Web Network’s Crosswalk platform and supports various clients through the freelancing website Upwork. He's an outside-the-box thinker with a penchant for challenging the status quo.
Get in touch with him at aarondanthony.com and check out his debut short story anthology Honey Dreams on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.