Flying What?!

Major Rhonda Lloyd

Scripture Focus: Zechariah 5

There are two visions in this passage. It is important for us to remember that these visions Zechariah had weren't just for the people of the time. This vision is as relevant to us today as it was back then.

The first is the vision of the flying scroll. The scroll is a picture of the end time judgement that will come over all the earth. The scroll was open for all to see. Both sides of the scroll were written on. This is significant because in the time this was written, that didn't happen. On one side of the scroll was written: Every thief will be banished. This refers to the sins we commit against one another. The other side "everyone who swears falsely will be banished" and this refers to the the sins we commit against God.

More verses when the scroll is mentioned as the end of times:
Ezekiel 2:8-10
Revelation 5:1-9
Revelation 10:1-11 - this one I found quite interesting about the part where in verses 9-11. The angel tells the man to eat the scroll. It will be sweet on the tongue but it will sour the stomach. This is like when we eat the words of God (read his word) but then don't follow them. It sours in our stomachs. What words of God have I let sour my stomach. Something he intended to be sweet and instead it sours my stomach because I know that it is something I haven't been doing as He has planned for me.

God knows the condition of our hearts. Do the sweet words of His make our stomachs sour because we know we haven't been following them?

The second vision in this passage is the woman in the basket. This vision represents the basket of the people's sin. It was completely full of all the evilness of the world. The wickedness had filled and permeated the basket. The woman was thrown back into the basket and the lead lid thrown back over it. God showed His power over evil. He will contain the evil in the end. We won't need to be the only one righting the wrongs of this world, God is working with us. There isn't a question of who will win because we know the end of the story. We know that God will have the victory over evil.

The basket is sent into Babylon. There are conflicted views about what this means, but to me this is like a vision of the way that God will cast the evil from our world. Contain it in a place that is all its own.

God isn't just there for us to ask things of. We need to be wiling to sacrifice for His good. We should be giving of ourselves, sacrificing for Him. We need to purge our hearts of the evil and banish sin from our hearts. Is God asking us to be willing to sacrifice.

Galatians 3:10
James 1:22
Romans 8:1-4

God sent his son as an offering. We need to live in accordance to his spirit. In Him, we will have life and peace.

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders

Let me walk upon the waters

Wherever You would call me

Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander

And my faith will be made stronger

In the presence of my Savior

Today's service was concluded with this song. I have to admit something: I don't love singing this song. Singing these words puts me in a vulnerable place. I don't want to be in a place where the oceans are rising. It's scary not knowing what is going to happen. Not being able to touch the bottom. God wants me to have faith that He has me. His grace will carry me where I need to be. That is the times where I love singing this song. I know that He will never fail me. God won't bring me to something if he doesn't plan to bring me through it. All I need to do is make sure that I am trusting in Him. I want to go in the deeper waters, I want to be in so deep with God that he is the only one I can rely on.

If you don't have time to listen to the whole song, please take the time to read the lyrics. Beautiful and the prayer of my heart today:

You call me out upon the waters

The great unknown where feet may fail

And there I find You in the mystery

In oceans deep

My faith will stand

And I will call upon Your name

And keep my eyes above the waves

When oceans rise

My soul will rest in Your embrace

For I am Yours and You are mine

Your grace abounds in deepest waters

Your sovereign hand

Will be my guide

Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me

You've never failed and You won't start now

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders

Let me walk upon the waters

Wherever You would call me

Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander

And my faith will be made stronger

In the presence of my Savior

Oh, Jesus, you're my God!

I will call upon Your name

Keep my eyes above the waves

My soul will rest in Your embrace

I am Yours and You are mine