18 Bible Verses to Start the Day With God
When our youngest child was an infant, getting out of bed became more difficult than ever. After restless nights spent tending to him, I was rarely eager to start the day. During that time, I decided to speak the words of Psalm 118:24 first thing every morning. This simple practice helped me align myself with God in my exhaustion. Today, we’ll explore 18 Bible verses to start the day with our focus on Jesus.
First, I invite you to join me as I recently returned to the practice of speaking Psalm 118:24 each morning.
Be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook that will help you establish a rhythm of connecting with the presence of the life-giving God daily.
Bible Verses to Start the Day With God
This is the day which the Lord has made;
Let’s rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24
The chill of an almost-autumn morning slips through the open window as my alarm clock stirs me from a dreamless sleep. Not quite ready to face the day, I rest quietly and take a moment to let the morning light wash over me.
“This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it,” I whisper.
I’ve been whispering these words at the start of each new day for several years now. Over time, repeating the words began shifting something within me. As I spoke the words of the Psalm, I imagined Jesus standing beside me, welcoming me into the new day.
I surrendered my expectations and asked God to help me embrace his plans for the day. I declared my commitment to walk in his joy instead of embracing grumpiness or weariness. The practice became a life-giving way of connecting with God each morning.
When I focus my attention on God before my feet hit the floor, I am more likely to turn to him throughout the remainder of the day. I am more centered, peace-filled, and even more joyful.
There’s nothing magic about the words of the Psalm I often speak. Some days, I simply wake up and say, “Good morning, God. I surrender the events of this day to you.” What is important is that I turn to God first every day. When this happens, I sense his pleasure, and the day begins with joy instead of grumpiness.
Beginning With God
Today, I encourage you to try this discipline for yourself. Make it a habit to start your day with God. You might tell him good morning after the alarm clock sounds, or you might find a Bible verse to speak daily.
Beginning the day by focusing on the Lord is a powerful way to infuse the peace and joy of Jesus into your days.
Bible Verses to Start the Day With Jesus
1. Philippians 4:4 (ESV)
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
The Apostle Paul wrote these words while imprisoned.
We can have joy in even the direst circumstances because God is with us. He is the source of our joy and peace. What better way to start the day than by reminding ourselves of this truth!
2. Matthew 6:26
Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus reminded his listeners not to worry. Just as God fed the birds, he would feed and care for them.
This promise is true for us today as well.
Rather than worrying, may we watch for God’s provision.
3. Romans 8:32
He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
Some people live with the false belief that God is holding out on them.
This verse speaks otherwise. Would a father allow his own child to die for someone else and then not care for that person?
You are precious to God. Find your joy in this unchangeable aspect of your identity.
4. Psalm 16:11
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Joy is found in God’s presence.
God is everywhere, which means joy is always possible. Our role is to open our spiritual eyes to become more aware of God’s presence.
5. Nehemiah 8:10
“The joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Nehemiah reminded God’s people of their source of strength: God’s joy.
What expression do you imagine on God’s face when he looks at you?
You fill him with joy. God smiles upon you. Receive this joy, and you will be forever changed by it.
6. Galatians 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.
When we stay close to the Lord, we bear good fruit.
If your life lacks joy, seek the Lord. He wants to fill you with joy.
7. Psalm 71:23
My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed.
We are to testify to God’s goodness.
When we don’t feel joyful, talking about God’s goodness can lift our heads and fill us with his joy.
8. Acts 2:28
You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.
Again, this verse reminds us that as we walk with God, the joy of his presence fills us.
Are you walking with God by obeying him as well as you know how? Talk to him about this today.
9. Psalm 4:7
You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.
God’s joy is deeper and stronger than circumstantial joy. It can carry us through even the darkest times.
More Morning Bible Verses to Speak Over Your Day
The following morning Bible verses need to explanation. Speak these over your day before the day begins. I encourage you to commit even one verse to memory and speak it before you climb from bed every morning.
Starting with God’s Word will change the trajectory of your entire day.
10. Psalm 113:3
From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised!
11. Psalm 118:24
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
12. Psalm 118:1
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!
13. Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
14. Romans 8:28
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
15. Isaiah 40:31
But they who wait for 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.
16. Psalm 9:1
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.
17. Lamentations 3:22-23
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
18. Psalm 84:11
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.
Reflect
Do you typically start your days feeling joyful or grumpy? What verse or phrase would help you focus on God at the start of each new day?
Consider writing a note or putting a small object on your bedside table or nightstand to remind you to turn your attention toward God first thing tomorrow morning.
If these Bible verses to start the day encouraged you, I invite you to explore our family devotionals and library of free devotionals and eBooks below! Be blessed as you seek the Lord each morning.
Calling All Parents and Grandparents!
As the parent of two sons and a daughter, I have a heart for helping parents develop deeper relationships with their children and with God. Our kids, ages 7, 12, and 16, share this vision. They have helped me write three family devotionals for parents or older relatives to read with the children and teens they love. I also recently released a teen devotional called Anchored, designed to help teens learn key biblical narratives and apply them to their lives. You can find these books here or read more below. 
Mother-Daughter Devotionals by a Mom and Daughter
Girl to Girl: 60 Mother-Daughter Devotions for a Closer Relationship and Deeper Faith is written for girls ages 7-12. It includes 60 devotions with Scripture, conversation starters, and a shared journaling section for moms and daughters after each devotion. I wrote this book with the help of our daughter, Bekah, when she was eleven. Find this one-of-a-kind shared devotional here.
Heart to Heart: A Mother-Daughter Devotional With 50 Devotions for Teen Girls is for teenage girls ages 13-20. It includes 50 devotions, each with a shared journaling section to help moms and daughters connect through writing. This is a great book for moms who want to communicate about awkward topics—like dating, sexuality, peer pressure, and more—but don’t know where to start. Bekah and I will help you right here.
Devotions for Boys by Boys
God’s Warrior: Devotions for Boys Who Want to Grow in Courage and Strength helps young boys, ages 5-13, learn what it means to trust God and become strong warriors for his kingdom. Now, more than ever, our world needs men who are willing to boldly carry God’s love into the world. I wrote this boys’ devotional book with our two young sons, Aiden and Caleb, ages six and eleven! You’ll enjoy their honesty as we teach boys how to be strong warriors for the Lord. Find this life-changing devotional book here.
These Books Are Free on Kindle Unlimited: God Wants to Heal, Restore, and Refresh You
God wants to work in your life to accomplish what you’ve been unable to do through willpower alone. He also wants to help you establish a rhythm of meeting with him daily as you trust him with the hard parts of your life. Click here to explore two books that will guide you: Be Still and Trust and Lean Into Grace. They are free on the Kindle Unlimited program and for sale in print.
Download Your Free Devotional Here
Set Free: Let God Do What You Cannot explores ten realms in which most of us need God to work in our lives and bring deliverance. We’ll talk about finding freedom from fear, worry, insecurity, bad habits, emotional pain, and more. This short online devotional will bless you as you let God accomplish what you’ve been unable to achieve through willpower. Get your download for free with promo code GRACE or for a donation of 3.99 here. Thank you. This small gift helps keep this ministry running.
I also offer a library of free online devotional eBooks for free. I invite you to explore the collection right here!
