The Fallen Crown

The crown has fallen from our head; woe to us, for we have sinned." (Lamentations 5:16)

Lam. 5:16-22; Prov. 13:15; Rom. 3:16; II Tim. 4:8; I Pet. 1:17-18 and 3:18

What Is God Saying?

The purpose of Lamentati0ns, as the name implies, is to give vent to the deep anguish of God's people. The book consists of five distinct poems. It is not all sorrow. See how the sun breaks through in verses 3:22-27, but mainly, Lamentati0ns focuses on the suffering that sin brings. Jerusalem lay in rubble. The Temple had been vi0lated. A whole nation had lost its freedom. Poverty, famine, shame, and humiliation were part of life now. Read Lamentations 5. "Why?" asks the poet-prophet, "Why? Because we have sinned." Then, in the book's final words, the prophet describes the restoring power of God. God is still in control (vs. 21).

How Does This Apply To Us?

As God can and will restore His people, so Christ can put back on our heads the crown-His crown of righteousness as promised in II Timothy 4:8. We don't have to be ruled by sin. Through repentance and faith, "the crown that has fallen from our head" can be replaced. Our prayer should be that we might have the realization that we have been "delivered from the dominion of darkness and transferred to the Kingdom of (God's) beloved Son" (Col. 1:13). He puts back on our heads the fallen crown. In His reigning, we reign. In His mastery over us, we are free.

Pray With Me

Lord, because Your conquest of sin is absolute, You have been given a name above every name. Let me see You in Your risen and reigning glory.

I will press in complete confidence toward Your ever-sufficient grace. No man can serve two masters. No man can hold a scepter and sin in his heart. No man can be crowned with Your blessings while compromising with Your enemies. Therefore, dear Lord, to the throne of my heart, return and reign, for in Your reigning, I reign, and in Your mastery, I am free.

In the strong name of Your longsuffering yet sovereign love, Amen.

Moving On In The Life Of Prayer

The book of Lamentations ends in hope. We have been "ransomed from our futile ways with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot" (I Peter 1:18-19). Now, we tap into His strength, believe His promises, and keep on the beam of His perfect plan for our lives. All this comes through prayer. "They who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength" (Isa. 40:31).