The Word for Today with Ray

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Daniel Prays to the LORD - Daniel 9:4

In the book of Daniel, Daniel said, “In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans. In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem. And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes”, and in chapter nine and verse four of his book Daniel said,“I prayed to the LORD” where we read,

And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said,

O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him,

and to them that keep his commandments;

The verse reads, “And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, …” Daniel began with the words, “and I prayed” or “and I, Daniel, intervened, meditated, interposed and interceded” “unto the LORD” which means “to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God”, “my God” or “my, Daniel’s, Supreme Deity”, “and made my confession” which means “and produced and performed my, Daniel’s, revering and worshiping with extended hands”, “and said” or “and uttered, declared and proclaimed” the following words. Daniel shared how he interceded to Jehovah his Supreme Deity and worshiped and proclaimed the following words.

The verse continues, “… O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, ” Daniel added the words, “O Lord” or “O Jehovah or Yahweh”, “the great and dreadful God” which means “the important, distinguished and revered Supreme Deity”, “keeping the covenant and mercy” or “giving heed to, watching and observing the alliance, pledge, treaty and goodness, kindness and faithfulness” “to them that love him” which means “to the people who have affection and desire for him, Jehovah God”. Daniel shared how he prayed to Jehovah God who is the distinguished and revered Supreme Deity who observes the pledge of kindness and faithfulness toward people who desire Him.

Finally the verse says, “and to them that keep his commandments;” Daniel concluded this verse with the words, “and to them” or “and toward the people” “that keep his commandments” which means “who observe and give heed to his, Jehovah God’s, ordinances, precepts and laws”. Daniel ended this verse by including people who observe and give heed to Jehovah God’s laws and precepts.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel how he made intercession to Jehovah God, worshiped Him and acknowledged that God is distinguished, revered and keeps His pledge to people who desire Him and obey His laws. God wants us to be like this, and He will help up by His Holy Spirit when we submit to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. God will forgive our sins and grant us everlasting life as we surrender to Him, and He invites everyone to be among those who worship, revere and call out to Him in prayer.

Next time Daniel says, “we have sinned, and have committed iniquity”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

Setting My Face to the LORD - Daniel 9:3

In the book of Daniel, Daniel said, “In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans. In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem”, and in chapter nine and verse three of his book Daniel said,“I set my face to the LORD” where we read,

And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications,

with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:

The verse reads, “And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, …” Daniel began with the words, “and I set my face” or “and I, Daniel, yielded, delivered up and fixed my, Daniel’s, presence and countenance” “unto the Lord God” which means “to Jehovah who is the Supreme Deity”, “to seek by prayer” or “to require, desire, exact and request through the means of intercession and by implication a hymn” “and supplications” which means “and earnest entreaty for favor”. Daniel said he fixed his countenance upon Jehovah God the Supreme Deity to desired and request favor from Him through the means of intercession.

The verse goes on to say, “… with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:” Daniel continued with the words, “with fasting” or “by the means of abstaining from some food or drink pertaining to a religious observance”, “and sackcloth” which means “and mesh or coarse loose cloth used in mourning or humiliation”, “and ashes” or “and powdery residue left after burning a substance”. Daniel shared how he also “fasted”, dressed himself in course cloth as a sign of humility and put on “ashes” or the powdery substance left after burning something.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel how he humbled himself before God and demonstrated his inward humility by refraining from eating and drinking, wearing course clothing and putting “ashes” upon himself. He desired and requested God’s favor to be upon him. God wants to bless us, and when we humble ourselves, He will lift us up. (See James 4:10) God sent His Son Jesus into world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and He raised Him from the dead after three days so when we humble ourselves and believe and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and equip us with His Holy Spirit so we may obtain His favor in this life and the life to come.

Next time Daniel says, “I prayed to the LORD my God”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Daniel Understanding the Number of the Years - Daniel 9:2

In the book of Daniel, Daniel referred to, “the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans”, and in chapter nine and verse two of his book Daniel shared how he, “understood by books the number of the years” where we read,

In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years,

whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.

The verse reads, “In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, …” Daniel began with the words, “in the first year of his reign” or “within the initial annual set of days pertaining to the rule of Darius” “I Daniel understood” which means “I Daniel whose name means ‘God is my judge’, perceived, discerned and considered”, “by books” or “through the means of missives, letters, written documents and decrees” “the number of the years” which means “the tale and count pertaining to the annual sets of days” that the following occurred. Daniel referred to the initial “year” of the rule of Darius when he gained knowledge through the means of the letters and missives concerning the tale of sunsets to sunrises within the “years” in which the following happened.

The verse continues, “… whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.” Daniel added the words, “whereof the word” or “in which the speech, utterance, acts and matters” “of the LORD” which means “belonging to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name of the one true God” “came to Jeremiah the prophet” or “happened, came to pass and fell out to Jeremiah whose name means whom Jehovah has appointed and was the major prophet, son of Hilkiah of the priestly family in Anathoth; author of the prophetic book bearing his name”, “that he would accomplish seventy years” which means “that he, Jeremiah, was to seventy annual sets of days” “in the desolations” or “within the ruin, waste and decayed place” “of Jerusalem” which means “belonging to Jerusalem whose name means teaching of peace and is the the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split”. Daniel shared how “Jeremiah” who was God’s “prophet” received the declaration that for “seventy years” the city of “Jerusalem” would be in a wasted and decayed state.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we see how Daniel referred to Jehovah God’s declaration to “Jeremiah the prophet” that “seventy years” would pass while the people of Israel were exiled in Babylon and “Jerusalem” would be in a ruinous condition. We shall see how this prophetic word concerned Daniel in our future verses, but for now let us be reminded that God knew all these things. He knows we need a Savior from the penalty of our sins which is death, so He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and to be resurrected from the dead after three days. (See Romans 6:23; John 3:16-17) When we put our faith and trust in Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and provide us with His Holy Spirit who will help us not only know the truth, but also have the power to live in whatever conditions He desires for our lives.

Next time Daniel says, “I set my face to the LORD”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

In the First Year of Darius - Daniel 9:1

In the book of Daniel, Daniel said Gabriel gave him the interpretation to his vision and said, “the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut you up the vision; for it shall be for many days. And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king's business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it”, and in chapter nine and verse one of his book Daniel shared about, “the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus” where we read,

In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes,

which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans;

The verse reads, “In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, …” Daniel began with the words, “in the first year of Darius” or “within the initial annual set of days pertaining to Darius whose name means lord and was known as Darius the Mede, the son of Ahasuerus, king of the Chaldeans, who succeeded to the Babylonian kingdom on the death of Belshazzar; probably the same as "Astyages" the last king of the Medes (538 BC)” “the son of Ahasuerus” which means “the male offspring and progeny belonging to Ahasuerus whose name means I will be silent and poor and was the title of the king of Persia, probably Xerxes”, “of the seed of the Medes” or “belonging to the offspring pertaining to the Medes whose name means middle land and was a people descended from the son of Japheth and who inhabited the territory of Media”. Daniel referred to the initial “year” that “Darius” who was “Ahasuerus’s” male offspring and a descendant from the people of Media.

The verse goes on to say, “… which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans;” Daniel continued with the words, “which was made king” or “who became the royal ruler and leader” “over the realm” which means “above and overseeing the royal kingdom and sovereign power” “of the Chaldeans” or “belonging to the Chaldeans who were the inhabitants of Chaldea who lived on the lower Euphrates and Tigris rivers”. Daniel continued to describe “Darius” as he spoke of him becoming the royal ruler overseeing the royal kingdom belonging to the people of “Chaldea”.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel about “Darius the Mede” once again. Daniel shared about him previously, but we shall see what he says about him this time. (See Daniel 1:21; 5:31; 6:1,28) The book of Daniel goes forward in time, back in time and so on, but all of it is relevant to God and us. God’s plan of salvation to mankind came through these events and people, and when He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised Him from the dead, He made the way for us to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and to be filled with His Holy Spirit so we will know that He has all people and events under His control.

Next time Daniel shares how he, “understood by books the number of the years”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Daniel Fainting and Sick - Daniel 8:27

In the book of Daniel, Daniel shared how Gabriel gave him the interpretation to his vision and said, “the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut you up the vision; for it shall be for many days” in chapter eight and verse twenty-seven of his book Daniel shared how Gabriel said, “I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days” where we read,

And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king's business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it.

The verse reads, “And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king's business;” Daniel began with the words, “and I Daniel fainted” or “and I Daniel whose name means God is my judge fell out”, “and was sick certain days” which means “existed as grieved, weak and ill for a particular number of sunsets to sunrises”; “afterward I rose up” or “following that time I, Daniel, arose, stood and persisted”, “and did the king’s business” which means “and performed and produced the royal ruler and leader’s work, occupation and service”. Daniel shared how he fell out and was ill for a number of days after he received the interpretation of his “vision”, and following that time, he arose and served the royal ruler and leader.

The verse continues, “and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it.” Daniel added the words, “and I was astonished” or “and I, Daniel, existed as desolate, appalled, stunned and stupefied” “at the vision” which means “concerning the mental appearance and sighting”, “but none understood it” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover no one had knowledge, perception and discernment concerning the vision”. Daniel shared how he was stunned and stupefied at the mental appearance, and everyone else was without perception and knowledge concerning it.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how his “vision” and the interpretation stunned and stupefied Daniel. He was so engaged that it made him ill for a few days, but following that time he arose and served the royal ruler. He knew others were without knowledge as to what the “vision” meant, but he continued in his service position. God desires to have an intimate relationship with us in this manner, and He chooses when He reveals His secrets to us. Of this we may be assured, He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised Him from the dead after three days. When we yield our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and guide us into all truth by His Holy Spirit who will come to dwell within us and give us revelation according to His will and purpose for our lives.

Next time we begin a new chapter and see Daniel share about, “the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Monday, February 9, 2026

Shut Up the Vision - Daniel 8:26

In the book of Daniel, Daniel said Gabriel spoke to him and said, “the ram which you saw having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia. And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king. Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power. And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practice, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand” in chapter eight and verse twenty-six of his book Daniel shared how Gabriel said, “shut you up the vision; for it shall be for many days” where we read,

And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true:

wherefore shut you up the vision; for it shall be for many days.

The verse reads, “And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true:” Daniel began with the words, “and the vision” or “and the mental imagery, appearance and sighting” “of the evening and the morning” which means “pertaining to the dusk or sunset and the dawn or break of day” “which was told” or “that was spoken, uttered and commanded” “is true” which means “exists as sure, reliable and faithful”. Daniel shared how Gabriel told him that the mental imagery given to him at dusk and at dawn was reliable and faithful.

The verse goes on to say, “wherefore shut you up the vision; for it shall be for many days.” Daniel continued with the words, “wherefore shut you up” or “therefore, then and on this account stop and keep closed and hidden” “the vision” which means “the mental imagery, appearance and sighting”; “for it shall be” or “because, since and on account that it, the vision, will exist” “for many days” which means “on behalf of an exceedingly great number of sunsets to sunrises”. Daniel shared how Gabriel told him to keep the mental imagery closed and hidden because it was to be on behalf of a great number of sunsets to sunrises.

When we mediate upon Daniel’s words in this verse, we learn how Gabriel confirmed that the “vision” given to him at dusk and in the dawn was indeed reliable and faithful, and for this reason, Daniel was to keep this “vision” hidden. The timing of this “mental imagery” was for a great number of days into the future, so Daniel was to keep the images secret. We, because he wrote them down, are able to see and discern these things today. God wants us to know Him, and He gave us the Bible to reveal Himself to us. He also sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised Him from the dead after three days so we can be forgiven of our sins, grant us everlasting life and provided with His Holy Spirit when we put our faith and trust in Him. Let all who read these words know the love, knowledge and care that God has for us and our future.

Next time Daniel says, “I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Craft Prospering - Daniel 8:25

In the book of Daniel, Daniel said Gabriel spoke to him and said, “the ram which you saw having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia. And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king. Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power. And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practice, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people” in chapter eight and verse twenty-five of his book Daniel shared how Gabriel said, “through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand” where we read,

And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.

The verse reads, “And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many:” Daniel began with the words, “and through his policy” or “and by the means of his, the fierce ruler’s, prudence, cunning, insight and understanding” “also he shall cause craft to prosper” which means “even so and indeed he, the fierce ruler, will advance and make progress and successful deceit, falsehood, subtlety and treachery” “in his hand” or “within his hand of power, might and authority”; “and he shall magnify himself” which means “and he, the fierce ruler will make important, praise and do great things on behalf of his own self” “in his heart” or “within his, the fierce leader’s, soul and mind”, “and by peace” which means “and through the means of quietness, ease and prosperity” “shall destroy many” or “will corrupt, ruin and spoil numerous, abundant and an exceedingly large amount of people”. Daniel shared how this “fierce ruler” will make falsehood and treachery abound, glorify his own self and through the means of quietness and ease ruin and corrupt a great number of people.

The verse continues, “he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.” Daniel added the words, “he shall also stand up” or “he, the fierce ruler, will even so and indeed erect, set up and raise himself” “against the Prince of princes” which means “in opposition to the ruler, leader, chief, chieftain and official belonging to rulers, leaders, chiefs, chieftains and officials”; “but he shall be broken” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover he, the fierce ruler, will be shattered in pieces, wrecked, crushed and ruptured” “without hand” which means “not having or lacking a hand of power, strength and dominion”. Daniel shared how the “fierce ruler” will even so and indeed rise up in opposition to the ruler of all leaders, chiefs and officials, however he will be shattered in pieces without the power of men.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel how this fierce ruler will use his power to advance himself and cause treachery and falsehood to rule. By the means of “peace” he will bring ruin upon a great number of people, and he will be so bold that He will rise up against God Himself. We shall see how that works out for him. Although he will not defeat Jehovah God, and he will be brought down by Him. God knows and is in control of all these things, and because He loves people, God offers salvation through His Son Jesus who came into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. When we yield our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us the guidance and courage of His Holy Spirit to trust in Him regardless of the person who rules and reigns in the world. (Revelation 17:14; 19:16, 19-21)

Next time Daniel shares how Gabriel says, “shut you up the vision; for it shall be for many days”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…