How to Be God's Muse Psalm 143:5 Devotional

In this Psalm 143:5 Devotional, we’ll explore what it means to be God’s muse… His inspiration and delight. With every brushstroke of our lives, the Master Artist is shaping a breathtaking reflection of His glory. Along the way, we’ll discover how the artistic journey of David’s life, the work of God’s hands, and our own faith-filled reflection all play a vital role in becoming the beautiful creation God intended us to be.

What Does It Mean to Be God’s Muse?

Muse is a funny word. You don’t hear it much in everyday conversation anymore. It means to carefully, and thoughtfully weigh something in our mind. But in the art world, this word has a different and very important meaning. A muse is something or someone that inspires creativity. It might be a person, a poem, or a powerful memory. For the artist, the muse gives birth to great works and fuels their imagination.

As an artist myself, the word muse paints a picture in my mind of a classic scene… a beautiful girl with long flowing hair and perfect porcelain skin. She’s seated in the soft light of an artist’s studio as the painter studies every feature of her appearance, pouring his vision onto the canvas. She’s his inspiration, his muse, and through her presence, the work of his hands creates something timeless.

For centuries, the powerful relationship between artist and muse has played a crucial part in the creation of art. The artist chooses their muse carefully, drawing on the inspiration they provide. The muse poses for the artist for the love and admiration they gain as the inspiration behind the artist’s work. This relationship is immeasurable as the artist pours themselves into the muse, painting their likeness and discovering new aspects of their character to draw inspiration from over time. As the artwork takes shape, they form an unbreakable bond and create a portfolio of gallery-worthy art.

However, for Christians, the word muse takes on a deeper meaning.

Why? Because…

We are God’s muse.

That may sound surprising, even audacious. But it’s true.

God is the Master Artist who is lovingly and purposefully creating a beautiful image of us. And we are His muse, the inspiration behind the great works He’s doing in the world. It’s a relationship that plays a crucial role in our faith. And because of this special bond, we can have confidence that every detail of our lives, every high and low, every victory and trial, is part of the masterpiece He’s painting.

As David wrote in this Old Testament Psalm of David…

I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I muse on the work of Your hands.

Psalm 143:5 NKJV

What Is the Meaning of Psalm 143:5?

Psalm 143 is a mixture of anguish and hope. When he wrote these words, David’s spirit was low. He was surrounded by various trials and outward troubles. The dark places of life left him feeling overwhelmed, alone, and completely forgotten. But instead of giving in to despair, David chose the best course… he turned to the Lord for the inspiration he desperately needed.

In Psalm 143:5, we find David engaged in the act of remembering. He paused to look back on God’s goodness and meditate on the works of God throughout his life. They weren’t vague memories of days gone by. They were a deliberate and focused practice of choosing to reflect on the deeds of the Lord and the times of deliverance that had shaped his story.

He remembered the good old days, not through a nostalgic lens, but as evidence of God’s righteousness and faithfulness in every season.

David didn’t just look back to feel better. He looked back to move forward, drawing strength and perspective from the power of God.

When we reflect on our own lives, we’re doing the same thing. We muse on the work of His hands and trust that God’s works will be completed in the perfect time.

So, let’s take David’s lead and reflect on the work of God’s hands for a moment…

Sometimes it seems like the painting will never be complete. We’ll be sitting in the studio, posing forever. And the love and admiration of our artist feels lightyears away. During these times, it’s easy to forget that we’re the reason He puts paint on canvas, and the inspiration behind everything He does. But our Heavenly Father is still at work, even when we can’t see Him. He’s pouring Himself into us, painting over what doesn’t belong, gently touching up the edges, and watching as the portrait takes shape.

The Muse Longs for the Artist

As we reflect on the work of God’s hands, something beautiful begins to stir within us, a deep longing to be near the Artist Himself.

A true muse doesn’t sit silently in the background. They long for the artist’s attention and the deep connection that comes from being part of the creative process. In the same way, our hearts yearn for the Artist who is shaping us into something beautiful for His glory. Because we’re more than just God’s inspiration, we’re HIs beloved, actively seeking His love, His presence, and the work of His hands in our lives.

David wrote…

O God, You are my God;
Early will I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You;
My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thirsty land
Where there is no water.
Psalm 63:1 NKJV

This longing is the heartbeat of a muse. As God’s chosen people, we don’t merely exist to inspire Him… we’re drawn to Him in return. Our soul longs to be with the One who created us, saved us, and is continually forming us into something more.

When life feels dry and directionless, like the parched land in this psalm, we crave His presence, His word of promise, and His gentle touch. And in that longing, we find the Artist drawing us back to Himself, the true source of life and love.

But even as we long for the Artist, there are moments when we feel forgotten in the studio, or like the brushstrokes have paused and the vision for the artwork is still unclear.

God Is Still Painting the Big Picture of Your Life

Even the most breathtaking work of art begins with a mess. Every canvas passes through imperfect stages of wavy lines and muddled colors before the masterpiece emerges. And our lives are exactly the same. We’ll definitely have moments of brokenness and overwhelm before reaching the perfection of eternity. But the Holy Spirit meets us there, gently reminding us that we’re still in the capable hands of the Artist. Even when life feels like a blur of mistakes and unanswered prayers, God is still painting the big picture of your life with purpose and grace.

David felt the pain of brokenness and wasn’t shy about expressing it. He cried out…

Answer me quickly, Lord; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit.
Psalm 143:7 New International Version

Have you ever felt that way? Like you’re just one breath away from sinking into despair?

But even when our own spirit fails, the Holy Spirit remains with us. The Holy Bible is filled with stories of God’s servants who felt weak, but were held up by the loving kindness of God. David’s life is a powerful example of this. He stumbled, failed, and sinned. Yet, his earnest desires for the Lord never faded.

And that’s the beauty of being God’s muse, He doesn’t expect perfection from us. He only asks for surrender. When we give Him our brokenness, He continues the work, gently restoring our faith and revealing the big picture.

The Artist’s Faithfulness to the Muse

Every great work begins with a vision, but only a faithful artist sees it through. The Master Artist is always faithful to finish the good work He’s begun in the life of His muse.

And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O Lord: thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints.
Psalm 89:5 NKJV

The faithfulness of God is painted across the heavens and stitched into every detail of our lives. From the vastness of creation to the quiet corners of our daily moments, the steady hand of our Artist holds everything together.

As God’s muse, you can rest in the knowledge that His eyes are always on you, His hand is never far from you, and His heart is fully invested in what He’s creating in you.

In tough times, it’s easy to forget the truth of this verse. But God’s faithfulness means that what He begins, He always finishes. And what He says, He does. Every brushstroke He places on the canvas of your life is filled with divine purpose.

Throughout the Holy Bible, this pattern repeats itself. The works of creation were the opening scene in a much greater story. And now, through Christ Jesus, that beautiful story is still unfolding through you, His beloved muse.

God’s Hand is the Muse that Inspires Us

The relationship between artist and muse is evident in my artwork, too, but I’ve flipped it around a bit. My muse, my inspiration, is God’s hand.

Each time I take a photo or sit down at my computer to work, I think about the “work of Thy hands”, not just in my life, but in all of creation. This phrase isn’t just poetic… It’s deeply personal. God formed you and me with intention. Every detail of who we are was crafted by the same hands that flung stars into space and painted sunsets across the sky.

In my own artistic journey, I’ve seen how God’s hand is both my inspiration and my strength. That’s what motivates me to create. When you view my art, I want you to see God’s hand reaching out to you. I want you to feel His gentle touch on your life.

Whether you’re an artist or not, God’s hand is always working behind the scenes, shaping you, sustaining you, and creating something beautiful from your story. Like David, we sometimes focus so much on the shadows that we miss the Artist’s light shining through. But even in the darkest corners, the He’s brushing His colors across the canvas of your life.

Because one day soon, you’ll look back and remember “the days of old”. You’ll see how God had a plan for your life and how it came to pass. You’ll muse on the work of God’s hands as you view your life from afar. And the longer you know the Lord, the more profound it will become.

Can you see it? Is there a place where God’s hand is moving in your life right now?

Let His hand be your muse just as much as you’re His. Be inspired by the masterpiece your Heavenly Father is painting, one brushstroke at a time. May your story shine with the creative spark of the Master, reflecting His glory in every chapter. And when others look at your life, let’s pray that they’ll say, “That’s God’s hand at work.”

Because it is.

Let God’s Goodness Be Your Muse

God has already shown you the beauty of His love. From this great Old Testament Psalm of David to the promises of Christ in the New Testament, He has revealed Himself over and over again. When you feel uninspired or unsure, let the goodness of God become your muse, drawing you back to His loving embrace.

Remember…

The power of God sustains you.
The loving kindness of God restores you.
The works of God surround you.
And the grace of God invites you into a holy calling.

You are not forgotten. You’re not unfinished. You’re the inspiration behind the gentle movement of the Artist’s brush.

The journey from blank canvas to bold expression takes time. Every artist must work with intention and patience, and our Creator is no different. But with each brushstroke, He’s shaping something breathtaking in you.

Be still. Let Him paint. Let Him work.

Because you are God’s muse. And He will never stop creating something beautiful in and through you.