How to Practice Dependence on the Lord With Watercolor Scripture Art: Psalm 51:10
Okay, ladies, it’s time to take down the mask and be brutally honest. Who recently had a not-so-great moment where you wanted to show up a certain way, but totally did not? I’ll be the first to raise my hand!
For example, maybe you…
Snapped at the kids (again).
Gave your husband the silent treatment.
Let worry run rampant in your brain before your feet even hit the floor.
Harbored some judgment towards a friend.
Yup, that’s me. I warned you – it’s brutally honest. Anyone else feeling this, too?
If you’re anything like me, it takes about 20 seconds, and suddenly you’re knee-deep in frustration, disappointment, and the weird urge to defend your mess instead of clean it up. And the shame – the guilt – sits SO heavy on your chest.
This is the crucial moment when God whispers a reminder softly in our minds: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10)
Oh, how I love this verse. Some days it’s my anthem on repeat – over and over and over, as many times a day as I need to hear it.
When you come to the end of yourself and realize no amount of striving will keep you pure and blameless, this prayer is a lifeline gently pulling you back to the haven of God’s truth. It reminds you that purity, peace, and a right spirit don’t come from trying harder – they come from Jesus and total dependence on HIM.
This verse is one of my very favorite watercolor Scripture art prints! It makes a beautiful splash of truth in my home, but it also anchors me to Christ on the hard days.
So if you’ve ever felt stuck in the mess of your emotions (who hasn’t?!), this one’s for you. Let’s take a look at how Psalm 51:10 plays a vital role in your daily life (WAY more important than you might realize!) and how to cling to it when you’d rather do anything but listen to God’s Word.
When You Prefer to Sulk
Just this morning, I was frustrated about something and was very short with my husband. (That’s putting it gently – it was not my finest moment!) And to be completely honest, for a moment there I didn’t WANT God to make my heart clean. I wanted to feel how I felt, be upset, and make sure my husband knew it. (Again, not my best, just keeping it real here!)
How silly, right?! Like am I in first grade here?!
Is it just me or have you ever been there, too?
You know deep down what’s right but something in you just wants to stew. You’d rather justify to yourself why you deserve to be upset. You’re not proud of it, but if you’re honest, you don’t want God to renew your heart just yet.
It’s crazy, but we do it all the time. We want to sit in our mess. We want to hang onto it juuuuust a little longer before we release our white-knuckle grip on our “rights” and let God in.
It’s A Lot More Serious Than Sulking
The biggest potty-training hurdle my kids faced was pooping in the potty. I know, I know, TMI, but this is real life, and we can be real here, right?
As an adult, I’m thinking, “What in the world? Why would you NOT want to put that mess in the toilet? How could you possibly want to keep that strapped to your body?! YIKES.” But they still fought tooth and nail to do their business in the diaper instead.
As gross as that is, aren’t we just like that?
We want to sit in our mess.
We hang onto our yuck like it’s a badge of honor – anger, bitterness, pride, judgment.
And we have the audacity to think it’s the better choice.
Like somehow stewing in our spiritual poo gives us control, justifies us, or makes us powerful.
Double YIKES.
Friend, there’s a very serious reality here. While you and I might brush it off as a “bad mood” or “grumpiness,” it’s actually spiritual warfare. You think you’re exercising your “right” to feel a certain way, but in reality, you’re giving Satan exactly what he wants: a foothold in your life, heart, and home.
There is no neutrality in this world. You’re either serving God in surrender or serving the enemy.
Ugh – and that is the LAST thing I want to do. The enemy is set on stealing, tearing down, and destroying – you, your family, your relationship with God, and the church, Christ’s bride. I do NOT want to be a part of that, and I know you don’t either.
Don’t Give the Enemy a Foothold
Ephesians 4:26-27 says: “In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.”
Let’s be clear: anger in itself is not a sin. Scripture is clear on that in verse 26. But the actions we take in our anger can be sinful. Danger rises quickly when we let anger drive our responses, justify our behavior, or fester without surrendering it to God.
And that’s an open door for the enemy to set up camp.
If you’re a believer, Satan has no access to your soul or your eternity in Christ. But if he can’t have your heart, he’ll attack your habits. He’ll wiggle his way into your words, mood, and attitude – even just one rough morning – to hijack your witness of Christ and sow division instead of peace.
That breaks my heart! And even worse, it grieves the beautiful Spirit of God in us. Isn’t that enough reason to pause and ask – yes, even while we stubbornly clutch our “dirty diapers” close – “Whose work am I participating in right now?” Because if it’s not the Lord’s, it’s the enemy’s.
EVEN when it’s hard –
EVEN when you feel justified –
Even when someone sinned against you unfairly –
You STILL get to choose what spirit dictates your choices. And what kind of legacy you build in your home.
How To Practice Dependence on Jesus
If you’re nodding along and thinking, “That sounds great in theory, but it’s actually impossible in real life,” I have great news for you!
It IS impossible.
No, for real. I’m not kidding. This is actually the best news!
Not a single one of us can have pure motives, actions, and speech all the time. That’s not a flaw unique to you – it’s the whole reason we need Jesus. DESPERATELY!
Psalm 51:10 doesn’t say, “Create in me a clean heart, O self.” It says, “Create in me a clean heart, O GOD.”
You cannot do it on your own. It’s not possible. None of us can. And if you’re anything like me, you’ve tried to prove that fact wrong – gave it everything you had – and you know it doesn’t work.
But because Jesus made a way for us to be in close relationship with God, you have someone who can cleanse you and sanctify you on your behalf. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, you’re being made new and cleansed, one moment of surrender at a time.
So friend, if you’re worn out trying to get it right your way, take a deep breath. You don’t have to strive your way to righteousness. (Psst: that’s the fast track to legalism and burnout, so get out of there!) Fighting against your own sin and flesh will wear you out.
Instead, REST. Not in your performance, but in His power. His power is made PERFECT in your weakness! Simply leaning your full weight and trusting in Him to cleanse you is enough.
Keep Watercolor Scripture Art in Front of You
So let this Bible verse be your anthem today. It’s SUCH a powerful reminder that you don’t have to fix yourself. You just have to ask and surrender. And when life gets messy (which is pretty much all the time!), you and I both need that reminder right in front of us.
Maybe that’s why this verse shows up THREE times in my shop!
Whether it’s on your water bottle, by your sink, or stuck to your fridge, keeping beautiful Bible verse watercolor in your line of sight gently calls you back to truth when your heart starts to drift. It reminds you that you aren’t meant to carry your mess alone, but your loving Father is eager to take care of it for you.
Sometimes all it takes is a glance.
A second of pause.
A quick whisper prayer.
So if you’re anything like me and need that little nudge regularly (pretty sure that’s all of us!), fill your space with Scripture watercolor! Let it speak to you when you’re running late, when your patience is thin, when the guilt piles on, or when you just feel off. God’s Word has this beautiful, gracious way of meeting us right where we are – in the middle of the mess.
Claim Your Bible Verse Watercolor Today
You weren’t created to carry the weight of perfection.
You were created to depend on the Lord – moment by moment.
If you’re ready to hear His gentle whisper call you back to safety, check out the Psalm 51:10 watercolor Scripture art print in the shop. Whether you hang it over your bed or tuck the stick on your planner, let God speak to you and nudge you back to dependence again and again.
