The Word for Today with Ray

Thursday, April 2, 2026

Where the Word of a King Is - Ecclesiastes 8:4

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “I counsel you to keep the king's commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God. Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he does whatsoever pleases him”, and in chapter eight and verse four of his book Solomon said, “where the word of a king is, there is power” where we read,

Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What do you?

The verse reads, “Where the word of a king is, there is power:” Solomon began with the words, “where the word” or “in what location and place the speech, utterance and business” “of a king is” which means “belonging to a royal ruler and leader exists”, “there is power” or “in that place and location exists potentate, power and mastery”. Solomon said in the location of the speech belonging to a royal ruler there exists power and mastery.

The verse goes on to say, “and who may say unto him, What do you?” Solomon continued with the words, “and who may say unto him” or “and what person whether male or female is able to utter, declare, proclaim to and ask him, the royal ruler and leader”, “what do you” which means “whatsoever are you, the royal ruler and leading, performing, producing and making”? Solomon asked what person is able to ask the royal ruler “what” he is producing or making.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how there exists might and mastery within utterance and speech belonging to the royal ruler. He also asked, what person is able to question the royal ruler by asking what he is producing, making or doing. Although there are rankings in authority on the earth, One rules from Heaven and that is God. He knows all, sees all and is everywhere present. 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 all who believe and trust in Him as their “Savior and Lord” to be forgiven of their sins, granted everlasting life and provided with His Holy Spirit who will guide them into all truth and empower them to live according to that truth in a manner that is pleasing to Him without questions.

Next time Solomon says, “whoso keeps the commandment shall feel no evil thing”, 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".

Wednesday, April 1, 2026

Be Not Hasty to Go Out of His Sight - Ecclesiastes 8:3

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “I counsel you to keep the king's commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God”, and in chapter eight and verse three of his book Solomon said, “be not hasty to go out of his sight” where we read,

Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he does whatsoever pleases him.

The verse reads, “Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing;” Solomon began with the words, “be not hasty” or “do not exist as disturbed, alarmed, terrified, anxious and afraid” “to go out of his sight” which means “to walk, depart and proceed from his, the royal ruler’s, person and presence”: “stand not” or “do not remain, endure and be present” “in an evil thing” which means “within a bad, disagreeable, unpleasant and displeasing act, deed or speech”. Solomon instructed his readers not to anxiously depart from the royal ruler’s presence, and they were not to remain in unpleasant and displeasing acts and deeds.

The verse continues, “for he does whatsoever pleases him.” Solomon added the words, “for he does” or “because, since and on account that he, the royal ruler, fashions, accomplishes and produces” “whatsoever pleases him” which means “the whole totality and everything that the royal ruler delights in, takes pleasure in, desires and is pleased”. Solomon said the royal ruler performs and produces whatever gives him pleasure and delight.

When we think through the words in this verse, we discover how Solomon gave instructions to his readers not to anxiously rush out of the presence of the royal ruler, and they were not to remain in committing wicked practices because the royal ruler performs in a way that brings him delight and pleasure. God knows this about rulers, and because He is the Ultimate Ruler, He has sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and to be raised from the dead after three days. When we yield to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit who will lead and guide us into all truth, help us to not be anxious before our authorities and to understand the royal ruler “does” whatever brings him or her pleasure and delight.

Next time Solomon says, “where the word of a king is, there is power”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Keep the King’s Commandment - Ecclesiastes 8:2

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon asked, “Who is as the wise man? and who knows the interpretation of a thing? a man's wisdom makes his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed”, and in chapter eight and verse two of his book Solomon said, “I counsel you to keep the king's commandment” where we read,

I counsel you to keep the king's commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God.

The verse reads, “I counsel you to keep the king's commandment, …” Solomon began with the words, “I counsel you” or “I, Solomon, advise you, readers of Solomon’s words” “to keep the king’s commandment” which means “to guard, observe, give heed to, protect and obey the royal ruler and leader’s word, speech and sentence”. Solomon advised his readers to observe and obey the royal ruler’s words and orders.

The verse goes on to say, “… and that in regard of the oath of God.” Solomon continued with the words, “and that in regard” or “and keeping the king’s commandment with the order, manner, cause and reason” “of the oath” which means “pertaining to the attesting of innocence and that which is sworn” “of God” or “belonging to the Supreme Deity Jehovah God”. Solomon said his readers were to obey the royal ruler’s orders because they swore to God that they would.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how we are to obey the royal ruler’s words because we have sworn to God that we will. Of course this applies as the “royal ruler” does not violate the word of God by asking us to obey a “commandment” that is against God, but otherwise we are to commit to observe the laws of the authorities. God is the ultimate law-giver, and to disobey Him is not only sin, but is also a rebellious act as well. God loves us, and even as we have violated His commandments and performed acts that are against Him, He still sent His Son Jesus into the world to be crucified on a cross for the sins of everyone. When He raised Him from the dead after three days, He made the way through belief and trust in Him for us to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and equipped with His Holy Spirit so we will obey the God fearing laws of our authorities and keep in alignment with Him.

Next time Solomon says, “be not hasty to go out of his sight”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Who is as the Wise Man? - Ecclesiastes 8:1

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “Lo, this only have I found, that God has made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions”, and in chapter eight and verse one of his book Solomon asked, “Who is as the wise man?” where we read,

Who is as the wise man? and who knows the interpretation of a thing?

a man's wisdom makes his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed.

The verse reads, “Who is as the wise man? and who knows the interpretation of a thing?” Solomon began with the words, “who is as the wise man” or “what person exists similar and in likeness to the person whether male or female who is skilled, shrewd and prudent”? “And who knows” which means “and what person whether male or female perceives, discovers, finds out, discerns and recognizes” “the interpretation of a thing” or “the elucidation, exposition and solution pertaining to an act, deed or speech”? Solomon question what person is skill, shrewd, prudent and aware of the exposition of an act, deed or speech.

The verse continues, “a man's wisdom makes his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed.” Solomon added the words, “a man’s wisdom” or “a person whether male or female’s, skill, shrewdness and prudence” “makes his face to shine” which means “fashions, accomplishes and causes his, the person’s, presence, sight and countenance to be enlightened, illuminated and made glorious”, “and the boldness” or “and the power, strength and might” “of his face” which means “pertaining to his, the person’s, presence, sight and countenance” “shall be changed” or “will be mollified and altered”. Solomon said the skill and prudence of a person causes their countenance to be illuminated and the might of the person’s countenance will be altered.

When we consider the words in this verse, we see how Solomon questioned what person is truly skilled and prudent, and what person really is aware of the exposition of an act or deed. He also shared how skill and prudence causes a person’s countenance to be illuminated and the power and might of their countenance to be altered. Skill, shrewdness and prudence makes a person to be aware of acts, deeds and speeches that others are not able to discern. They also help in the illumination and strength of a person’s countenance. God wants us to rely upon Him through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days, and when we yield to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put within us His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth, skill and prudence so our countenances shine and the strength of our “faces” are made confident in Him.

Next time Solomon says, “I counsel you to keep the king's commandment”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

God Has Made Man Upright - Ecclesiastes 7:29

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “Behold, this have I found, says the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account. Which yet my soul seeks, but I find not: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found”, and in chapter seven and verse twenty-nine of his book Solomon said, “God has made man upright” where we read,

Lo, this only have I found, that God has made man upright;

but they have sought out many inventions.

The verse reads, “Lo, this only have I found, that God has made man upright;” Solomon began with the words, “lo, this only have I found” or “behold, look and consider, the following solely and alone have I, Solomon, attained, secured, encountered and discovered”, “that God” which means “that the Supreme Deity” “has made man upright” or “has fashioned, accomplished and prepared man, people both male and female, as straight, correct, right, level and pleasing”. Solomon said he discovered that the Supreme Deity Jehovah God alone has caused people to be level and correct.

The verse goes on to say, “but they have sought out many inventions.” Solomon continued with the words, “but they have sought out” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover they, people, have required, desired, requested and searched for” “many inventions” which means “a great and abundant number of contrivances and mental devices”. Solomon said people have searched for a great number of mental devices.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how he discovered that solely Jehovah God could cause a person to be straight and correct even though they search for many mental devices and ways to make themselves right. God knows we have “all sinned and come short of the glory of God”, (See Romans 3:23) and we all need God to be forgiven and cleansed from unrighteousness. (See 1 John 1:9) For this reason 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 surrender our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and empower us to live in a righteous manner that is pleasing to Him. (See John 3:16; 16:13)

Next time we begin a new chapter and see Solomon ask, “Who is as the wise man?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

My Soul Seeks But Does Not Find - Ecclesiastes 7:28

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “Behold, this have I found, says the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account”, and in chapter seven and verse twenty-eight of his book Solomon shared about, “my soul seeks, but I find not” where we read,

Which yet my soul seeks, but I find not: one man among a thousand have I found;

but a woman among all those have I not found.

The verse reads, “Which yet my soul seeks, but I find not: one man among a thousand have I found;” Solomon began with the words, “which yet my soul seeks” or “that continually, again and still my, Solomon’s, soul, mind and will require, desire, exact and request”, “but I find not” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover I, Solomon, do not meet, learn, recognize or encounter”: “one man” or “a single and certain male human being” “among a thousand” which means “in the middle and midst of one thousand men” “have I found” or “have I, Solomon, secured, attained, encountered and detected”. Solomon said his heart and mind desires to encounter a single male human being from one thousand who is upright.

The verse continues, “but a woman among all those have I not found.” Solomon added the words, “but a woman” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover a female human being” “among all those I have not found” which means “in the midst and middle of each, every and the whole of the human beings I, Solomon have in no way or manner secured, attained, encountered or detected”. Solomon said he did not find a single female human being who was upright in the midst of people.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we see how Solomon had a bleak view of all of mankind, and because there were none who were righteous, he was unable to find one male or female out of a thousand who was considered upright. Paul the apostle said, “there is none righteous, no, not one” (See Romans 3:10) and “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God”. (See Romans 6:23). Paul also wrote, “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (See Romans 6:23), and for this reason God sent His Only begotten Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we surrender to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and equip us with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and help us to be upright so we will reckoned among the righteous before Him in Heaven one day.

Next time Solomon says, “God has made man upright”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Counting One by One - Ecclesiastes 7:27

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleases God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her”, and in chapter seven and verse twenty-seven of his book Solomon shared about, “counting one by one, to find out the account” where we read,

Behold, this have I found, says the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account:

The verse reads, “Behold, this have I found, says the preacher, …” Solomon began with the words, “behold, this have I found” or “lo, look and consider, the following have I, Solomon discovered, perceived, discerned and learned”, “says the preacher” which means “utters, declares and proclaims the collector of sentences and public speaker to an assembly”. Solomon made the following proclamation about what he discovered.

The verse goes on to say, “… counting one by one, to find out the account:” Solomon continued with the words, “counting one by one” or “enumerating one piece or ordinal after another piece or ordinal”, “to find out the account” which means “to attain, secure and acquire the reckoning, intelligence and implication”. Solomon referred to the reckoning that he discovered by enumerating one ordinal after another.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how he was accounting for a particular act and deed performed by people. We shall see what he was referring to in our next verse, but for now, let us be mindful that Solomon was tested throughout his life concerning everything that was available. God wants us to prioritize Him in our lives by receiving His Son Jesus as our personal “Savior and Lord” who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected from the dead after three days. When we submit to Him, regardless of the “one by one” pieces that enter our lives, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and equip us with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and keep an account of every ordinal that comes our way.

Next time Solomon says, “my soul seeks, but I find not”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…