FALLEN CROWN (LAMENTATION 5: 1-22)

FALLEN CROWN

LAMENTATION 5: 1-22; DANIEL 4: 28 – 37

April 15, 2018

Lesson Prepared by: krisha of Solomon Wisdom FB page

MEMORY VERSE

“The crown is fallen from our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned!” - LAMENTATION 5:16 -

INTRODUCTION:

Our topic for this month is about revival and like what I had said before, that was last year, reviving a person to come back to life is very hard. Personally, I saw with my two eyes how process of revival in a hospital was; seeing it with my own niece and sad to say, she was not revived. How about our spiritual life? Let’s try to think a life without God’s presence and it’s like a life without church, Christian friends, Bible, fellowships and other spiritual things. The manifestations that you need revival are evident but how about the situation wherein you are still surrounded by spiritual things but deep inside you need revival. What are the simple things you see and feel in you that you need revival? (Allow responses). With my own experiences, I didn’t read the Bible, no quiet time, no application of God’s word and my works in the ministry was like a routine. Other Christians I had heard their testimonies and they said they felt their hearts were full of pride. These things happen not suddenly; it’s step by step. For worst, sometimes God allows us to experience to lose things which are dear or important to us so that we may realize that we can’t live without Him. The title of our lesson for today is “FALLEN CROWN.”

What is fallen crown? According to Barnes’ notes on the Bible, literally “the crown of our head is fallen,” what was our chief ornament and dignity is lost; the independence of the nation, and all that gave them rank and honor. This meaning of crown happens in our life if our spiritual desolation is getting worst.  

Let’s try to personalize the real experiences of Jerusalem without the presence of the Lord. In lamentation chapter 5, we read about Jeremiah’s concern and agony for Jerusalem.   In verses 1-8, they experienced great misery (depression/desolation): their inheritance and houses have been turned to other countries, they became orphans and waifs (homeless), mothers became widows, their water and wood which were supposed for free, they paid for these. they became beggars, became servants of servants and none to deliver them from their land. In the next verses, there are more miseries mentioned. They risked their lives in getting food, no nourishment received by the bodies; the bible says, “our skin is hot as an oven.” The maidens were raped, their princes’ hands were hung up, elders were not respected, and young men labored above they can be able. And because of these miseries, the elders stopped gathering at the gate (no elders meeting), young men stopped singing and playing instruments, their joy ceased, their dance turned to mourning, their hearts fainted, their eyes dimmed, and they stopped going to the temple. Then the crown has fallen from their head. Maybe you would say, “This would not happen to me.” This maybe worst compare to the possibility of our misery but remember nothing would be compared to the life without the Lord because it is a great desolation whether it’s only simple or complicated misery. Let’s watch our hearts because we may surprise one day that our crown is fallen, our Christian dignity is lost. There are points we should consider:

LESSON OUTLINE:

1)     REMEMBER KNOWLEDGE ABOUT GOD IS NOT ENOUGH (DANIEL 4: 1-4)

-         From the previous chapters, King Nebuchadnezzar saw that the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego was faithful; He could rescue His people. He also saw that the Lord would step into a blazing furnace to be with those who trust Him. All of these were steps toward knowing God, but he needed to learn something. This chapter is a letter of King Nebuchadnezzar to everyone in the entire world. In first three verses, he had spoken higher praise to God but in his heart, he had that pride which led him to destruction. In Daniel 4:30, he didn’t acknowledge God in his endeavors and success.

-         There are tendencies for believers who have been in the ministry for so long to take the ministry’s successfulness because of their experiences. And this will start to root in their hearts and become pride.

-         Remember knowledge about Bible is not enough and this is sometimes also to lead you to become boastful especially those leaders, teachers, bible school students and knowledgeable of God’s Word.

-         This point number one is also applied for some members who have few knowledges about the Bible but no application in their lives.

-         Sometimes we are like King Nebuchadnezzar, we don’t trust God in our lives; we decide for ourselves. It seems like God is not in control of everything.

-          Nebuchadnezzar’s sins were very much like those of Pharaoh in Egypt and the Pharisees in Jesus’ day. All of these men were puffed up with pride, and they mistreated the lowly (Exodus 1:11, 5:2; Matthew 23). Pride was the very sin of Satan (Ezekiel 28:15-17). C.S. Lewis writes, “The essential vice, the utmost evil, is pride. Unchastity, anger, greed, drunkenness, and all that, are mere fleabites in comparison: it was through Pride that the devil became the devil: Pride leads to every other vice: it is the complete anti-God state of mind.” It is no wonder that God detests pride and opposes the proud (James 4:6, Proverbs 6:16-17). It is pride that leads men to believe we can live without Him.  https://bible.org/seriespage/9-god-humbles-nebuchadnezzar-daniel-4

The king spake,  and said, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty is.” (Daniel 4:30)

-          There is a word that comes to mind. It is P-R-I-D-E. Pride is thinking too highly of oneself. Nebuchadnezzar thought that he had built the kingdom. In truth, God was the one who handed all of his prisoners over to him (Daniel 1:2). When Daniel interpreted his first dream, he said, “The God of heaven has given you authority and power. He has given you might and glory.” (Daniel 2:37) Pride makes us think that we do not need God. Pride separates us from God. Nebuchadnezzar did not give credit to his Creator, and His Creator had had enough. https://bible.org/seriespage/9-god-humbles-nebuchadnezzar-daniel-4

-          God’s word tells us that God stands against those who are proud (James 4:6). If we are proud of our own talents or abilities, looks or possessions, God may take those things away so we will see what is true - God is the One who gives every good thing that we have (James 1:17). Without God we are helpless. We should never brag about what we have accomplished (1 Corinthians 5:6). The only thing we should ever brag about is that we know the Lord! (Jeremiah 9:24) https://bible.org/seriespage/9-god-humbles-nebuchadnezzar-daniel-4

2)    PAY ATTENTION TO GOD’S WARNINGS (DANIEL 4:27, 30)

-          God had warned Nebuchadnezzar and had been very patient with him. But finally, the prediction came true. All of the things that he was so proud of were taken away. Remember the fine food at the King’s table that we read about in Daniel 1? That was taken from Nebuchadnezzar; he had to eat grass just like the goats and cows! He was used to living in a grand palace, but now he had no shelter over his head. For 7 years, the great King Nebuchadnezzar lived out in the wilderness like an animal. He lost his mind; he became crazy (Daniel 4:34). Without God, he was helpless. https://bible.org/seriespage/9-god-humbles-nebuchadnezzar-daniel-4

-         God wants us to stay close to Him and far from sin. When we are in sin, or close to things that tempt us, God gives us correction in several ways. He instructs us in His word (2 Timothy 3:16), through Bible teaching, and preaching (Matthew 12:41). He speaks to us through prayer (Daniel 9:20-22). Often, He also uses those close to us - our parents, teachers, and friends - to let us know when we are making wrong decisions (Proverbs 13:1, 2 Samuel 12:9). It is so important for us to pay attention to God’s correction. God is patient, but when we choose to ignore His loving warnings, we will face the consequences of our sin (Proverbs 1:24-33). https://bible.org/seriespage/9-god-humbles-nebuchadnezzar-daniel-4

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3)    CHANGE YOUR FOCUS (DANIEL 4:34- 37)

-         After seven years of living like an animal, Nebuchadnezzar finally looked to God. Nebuchadnezzar changed his focus from himself to the one true God who deserved to be worshipped and praised. He turned from his pride and became humble. Right away, his mind was made right. God forgave Nebuchadnezzar and returned all that he had lost, plus a lot more.

Proud people want to hide their mistakes so other people won’t know that they have faults. Humble people admit when they make mistakes. Nebuchadnezzar showed that he became humble when he admitted his sin of pride in this letter that he wrote for the entire world to read. He also used the letter to praise God and declare that God was in control of everything.

We should notice that God brought Nebuchadnezzar low for his GOOD, not for his destruction. It was far more important for Nebuchadnezzar to know the one true God, and enter into God’s eternal Kingdom, than for him to live a carefree life on earth and die without knowing God.

https://bible.org/seriespage/9-god-humbles-nebuchadnezzar-daniel-4

CONCLUSION:

-         You may feel for now that you would not come to that point of your life like Nebuchadnezzar’s feelings and pride, but this is real possible for everyone because the Bible says, “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest ye fall” (1 Cor. 10:12). Therefore, let’s continue watch ourselves let’s do prevention. But if we are now on the first step of falling don’t wait for years to change your focus and look to God.  Nebuchadnezzar lived 7 seven years like an animal before he finally looked up toward heaven.

-         In Lamentations 5: 21 says, “Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.” Jeremiah’s desire to turn His people to God; he prayed for restoration.