Confronted by Sin and Comforted by God

Nikki Derouin

 Often, when I find myself unable to understand why I feel a certain way, I will write a poem (I hardly call it poetry).  This may seem trivial and perhaps humorous, but it is a focusing thing for me to do.  It allows me to think through what is bothering me. Since it has to rhyme and all of my poetry just has to rhyme, I am forced not only to use words that describe what I’m feeling, but each thought also has to flow and rhyme. 

 At one point in my life I was going through a very trying mental battle with myself.  I could not focus on my problem because I did not want to write on paper the source of my conflict….

                           .…my sin.

 Psalms 32 helped me to resolve this conflict.

 Outlines have always helped me see the context and flow of a passage and so I have outlined this section.  I hope that it will show how David’s situation can compare with, and thus aid, any situation that we may be in as well.

 I.          David’s Accurate Statements

 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.  (Ps. 32: 1)

 Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. (Psalm 32:2)

 II.         David’s Afflicted Silence

 When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. (Psalm 32:3)

 For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer.  Selah.  (Psalm 32:4)

 III.       David’s Acknowledged Sin

 I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid.  I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.  Selah. (Psalm 32:5)

 IV.       David’s Attained Solace

 For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him. (Psalm 32:6)

Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance.  Selah. (Psalm 32:7) 

 There is no comfort….

                   …No peace

                                 …No rest,

                                            ….In un-repented sin.         

           There is nothing that will rid your body of the “bones that have grown old” or “moisture turned to drought”…. 

 ….Nothing except the deliverance of the Lord.

  “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted”  (Matthew 5:4)

 ISBS Ladies Daily Devotional
02/07/05  

............Article 165............

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Writer of the Week

Nikki Derouin

I am twenty-two years old and live in Austin, Texas with my family.  Just before I turned eleven, we moved to Austin and began to home-school.  I am so thankful that my parents made the commitment to teach my two younger sisters and me at home.  My parents not only made sure that we learned the basics of English grammar and algebra, but also instilled in us the importance of daily Bible study.  This played a vital role in my decision to attend classes at the Southwest School of Bible studies beginning my senior year.  As SWSB is overseen by the elders at the church my family attends, it was a good way to receive elective classes. After two years of attending SWSBS, I decided to stop taking classes and devote more time to staying home.  The next three years were both challenging and personally fulfilling for me.  I continued to grow in my love for cooking, reading, writing and handcrafts, my favorites being knitting, crochet and quilting.  We also baby-sat a precious little girl for two and a half years and I began taking classes with her mother and another friend in cake decorating.  We had only taken them for something “fun and different” to do, but it didn’t take long for me to realize that it was yet another hobby that I wanted to go head long into!  This past summer, within ten weeks I was involved in eight weddings – all jobs I had received from word of mouth!  It was such a blessing to be part of so many wonderful people’s “special day.”  At about that time I began to step out in my writing and was asked to write for Daughters of Sarah.  I also began thinking of reenrolling at SWSBS –this time with the intention of receiving my diploma in Bible studies.  Unknown to me, my Dad was also making plans to go to SWSWS.  My Dad and I are now full-time students and are enjoying our time together as we study God’s Word.

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