The Word for Today with Ray

Tuesday, April 7, 2026

Man Knows Not His Time - Ecclesiastes 9:12

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happens to them all”, and in chapter nine and verse twelve of his book Solomon said, “man also knows not his time” where we read,

For man also knows not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falls suddenly upon them.

The verse reads, “For man also knows not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare;” Solomon began with the words, “for man” or “because, since and on account that man, a person whether male or female” “also knows not his time” which means “even so and indeed does not perceive, discern, distinguish or recognize his, the person’s, experience, fortune, occurrence or occasion”: “as the fishes” or “similar and in likeness to the squirming of the fish” “that are taken” which means “which are grasped, seized and caught” “in an evil net” or “within a bad, disagreeable, malignant and unpleasant stronghold, bulwark or hunting implement”, “and as the birds” which means “and similar and in likeness to the flying fowls” “that are caught in the snare” or “which are taken hold of, fastened and seized within the snare, gin or spring sheet”. Solomon said a person is unaware of the occasion when they will perish similar to the way a “fish” is seized by a hunting implement or like a flying fowl is taken hold of by a springing sheet.

The verse goes on to say, “so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falls suddenly upon them.” Solomon added the words, “so are the sons of men” or “the same exist as the offspring and progeny belonging to people both male and female” “snared in an evil time” which means “enticed, lured, trapped and caught by bait within a bad, disagreeable, malignant and unpleasant experience, fortune, occurrence or occasion”, “when it falls suddenly” or “at the time and moment it, the snare in an evil time, surprisingly and instantly settles, lies and overthrows” “upon him” which means “on him, the person who is snared in an evil time”. Solomon said the offspring of people are lured, trapped and caught by bait within a bad and disagreeable occasion at the time the “snare” surprisingly settles on them.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how people are generally unaware of their “time” of death, and even like “fish” are caught in the fisherman’s “net” or flying fowls are seized within the springing sheet for trapping them, death may happen at any “time”. God knows our time of birth and our time to expire (See Ecclesiastes 3:1-2; Psalm 139:16; and Job 14:5), and His desire is to have a personal relationship with us through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind before we expire. When God raised Jesus from the dead after three days, He made the way for us through faith and trust in Him to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and equipped with His Holy Spirit so we are guided into all truth and prepared to go to be with Him in Heaven whenever our time of death arrives. (See 2 Corinthians 5:6-8)

Next time Solomon says, “this wisdom have I seen also under the sun”, 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".

To Whom the Race is Not - Ecclesiastes 9:11

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “Whatsoever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, wherever you go”, and in chapter nine and verse eleven of his book Solomon said, “the race is not to the swift, the strong, the wise, the understanding and men of skill” where we read,

I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happens to them all.

The verse reads, “I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, …” Solomon began with the words, “I returned” or “I, Solomon, turned and went back”, “and saw under the sun” which means “and noticed, discerned, distinguished and observed beneath the sun in the sky”, “that the race” or “that the running course” “is not to the swift” which means “exists in no way or manner toward people who are light, fleet of foot and rapid”, “nor the battle” which means “no and not in any way the fight or war” “to the strong” or “toward people who are mighty, chief and brave”, “neither yet bread” which means “no and not in any way even so and indeed grain or food” “to the wise” or “toward the people who are skilled, shrewd and prudent”. Solomon said he went back and observed beneath the sun in the sky how the running course was not toward people who are fleet of foot, the battle was not toward people who are mighty and brave and food was not toward people who are skilled and prudent.

The verse continues, “… nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happens to them all.” Solomon added the words, “nor yet riches” or “no and not in any way even so and indeed is money or wealth” “to men of understanding” which means “to people both male and female with discernment, perception, insight and intelligence”, “nor yet favor” or “no and not in any way even so and indeed grace, charm, elegance and acceptance” “to men of skill” which means “to men, people both male and female, who possess skill, shrewdness and prudence”; “but time and chance” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover experience, fortune, occurrence and occasion in addition to happening and casual impact” “happens to them all” which means “comes to meet, befalls and encounters each, every and the whole of people”. Solomon shared how wealth is not toward people who have discernment and insight, and grace and acceptance is not just to people who have skill and prudence because fortune and casual impact affects everyone.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how Solomon viewed the “race, battle, bread and riches” available to everyone and not just a select few. His idea was that “time and chance” were responsible for what a person receives or does not receive. God is sovereign, and He gives gifts to people. Everything we have belongs to Him, and without Him we would have nothing. Because God loves us, 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 so when we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit who shall guide us into all truth and empower us to live according to that truth regardless of the gifts and skills we possess.

Next time Solomon says, “man also knows not his time”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Do What Your Hand Finds to Do - Ecclesiastes 9:10

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of the life of your vanity, which he has given you under the sun, all the days of your vanity: for that is your portion in this life, and in your labor which you take under the sun”, and in chapter nine and verse ten of his book Solomon said, “Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of the life” where we read,

Whatsoever your hand finds to do, do it with your might;

for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, wherever you go.

The verse reads, “Whatsoever your hand finds to do, do it with your might;” Solomon began with the words, “whatsoever your hand finds to do” or “all, the whole and in totality everything your, Solomon’s readers’, physical hands of power, might, strength and ability discovers and discerns to produce and perform”, “do it with your might” which means “produce and perform it, whatever is discovered to perform, by the use of your, Solomon’s readers’, power, authority and ability”. Solomon instructed his readers to perform whatever their hand of power and ability discovered, and they were to perform it with their strength.

The verse goes on to say, “for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, wherever you go.” Solomon continued with the words, “for there is no work” or “because, since and on account that there exists not any labor, toil, business and deeds”, “nor device” which means “no and not any account, reckoning or reason”, “nor wisdom” or “no and not any skill, shrewdness and prudence”, “in the grave” which means “within Sheol, the underworld, hell, the pit and the tomb”, “wherever you go” or “in whatever place or location that you, Solomon’s readers, leave, depart and proceed”. Solomon said there does not exist any toil, labor, reckoning or prudence within the tomb where his readers are proceeding.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how he encouraged his readers to perform whatever they discovered to do with might and ability because there does not exist a labor, toil, reckoning or shrewdness within the tomb or after death. Again this is a temporal earthly view, and because God knows our time to live on the earth is limited, He desires to have a personal relationship with us through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for our sins 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 put His Holy Spirit within us who will not only guide us into all truth and the work we are to perform, but also empower us to accomplish our labor which will become our means for rewards forever and ever in Heaven. (See 1 Corinthians 3:11-15)

Next time Solomon shares about, “the swift, the strong, the wise, the understanding and men of skill”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Live Joyfully With the Wife - Ecclesiastes 9:9

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “Let your garments be always white; and let your head lack no ointment”, and in chapter nine and verse nine of his book Solomon said, ““Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of the life” where we read,

Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of the life of your vanity, which he has given you under the sun, all the days of your vanity: for that is your portion in this life, and in your labor which you take under the sun.

The verse reads, “Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of the life of your vanity, which he has given you under the sun, all the days of your vanity:” Solomon began with the words, “live joyfully” or “remain lively, flowing and active in a glad, happy and rejoicing manner” “with the wife” which means “beside and alongside the female spouse” “who you love” or “that you, Solomon’s readers, have passion and affection for” “all the days of the life” which means “each, every and the whole of the sunrises to sunsets pertaining to the active and flowing living” “of your vanity” or “pertaining to your, Solomon’s readers’, vapor, breath or transitory dissatisfaction”, “which he has given you” which means “that he, the Supreme Deity Jehovah God, has granted, bestowed and assigned to you, Solomon’s readers” “under the sun” or “beneath the sun in the sky”, “all the days” which means “each, every and the whole of the sunrises to sunsets” “of your vanity” or “pertaining to your, Solomon’s readers’, vapor, breath or transitory dissatisfaction”. Solomon said his readers should rejoice alongside their “wives” for whom they have passionate affection and was provided by the Supreme Deity Jehovah God for each and every sunrise to sunset they have been granted by Him as well.

The verse continues, “for that is your portion in this life, and in your labor which you take under the sun.” Solomon added the words, “for that is your portion” or “because, since and on account that having passion for a wife exists as your, Solomon’s readers’, part, share and allotment” “in this life” which means “within this flowing and active living”, “and your labor” or “and your, Solomon’s readers’, work, toil and trouble” “which you take under the sun” which means “that you, Solomon’s readers, labor, suffer and have misery beneath the sun in the sky”. Solomon said “rejoicing in the wife God provided” exists as his readers’ part and share within their active living, toil and work that they suffer beneath the sun in the sky.

When we consider the words in this verse, we see how Solomon considered being glad and happy with a “wife” that God has provided is His allotment in living and for their work beneath the sun in the sky. God wants us to live a good and pleasant life that is dependent upon Him through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected 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 His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth so we celebrate and enjoy God’s provision in our spouses and the work that He has given for us to do.

Next time Solomon says, “whatsoever your hand finds to do, do it with your might”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Monday, April 6, 2026

Let Your Garments Be White - Ecclesiastes 9:8

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “Go your way, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart; for God now accepts your works”, and in chapter nine and verse eight of his book Solomon said, “Let your garments be always white” where we read,

Let your garments be always white; and let your head lack no ointment.

The verse reads, “Let your garments be always white;” Solomon began with the words, “let your garment” or “allow and permit your, Solomon’s readers’, clothing, raiment, robe or vesture” “be always white” which means “at all times, experiences, occasions and occurrences exist as clean and fine”. Solomon instructed his readers to allow their clothing at all times to exist as fine.

The verse goes on to say, “and let your head lack no ointment.” Solomon continued with the words, “and let your head” or “and allow and permit your, Solomon’s readers’, physical head” “lack no ointment” which means “not to be in want of anointing oil or perfume”. Solomon also instructed his readers never to allow their physical heads to be without perfume.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how he desired for his readers to wear fine clothing and be anointed with oil or perfume. They were to continue in their enjoyment of life, and as opportunities lended themselves, they were to demonstrate outwardly what was happening inside them. God wants us to enjoy our lives, and when we receive His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after threee days as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth which will include how to manage our outward appearance so we reflect His passion and love in our lives.

Next time Solomon says, “Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of the life”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Go Your Way and Eat Your Bread - Ecclesiastes 9:7

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun”, and in chapter nine and verse seven of his book Solomon said, “Go your way, eat your bread with joy” where we read,

Go your way, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart;

for God now accepts your works.

The verse reads, “Go your way, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart;” Solomon began with the words, “Go your way” or “depart and leave upon your, the readers of Solomon’s words’, traveled road and journey”, “eat your bread with joy” which means “consume and devour your, the readers of Solomon’s words’, grain and food accompanied by gladness, mirth, gaiety and pleasure”, “and drink your wine” or “and imbibe your, the readers of Solomon’s words’, fruit of the vine” “with a merry heart” which means “accompanied by a good, pleasant and agreeable soul, mind and will”. Solomon instructed His readers to consume their food accompanied by gladness and pleasure, and they were to imbibe their fruit of the vine accompanied by a good, pleasant and agreeable soul and mind.

The verse continues, “for God now accepts your works.” Solomon added the words, “for God” or “because, since and on account that the Supreme Deity” “now accepts your works” which means “at this time is pleased with, favorable to and satisfied with your, the readers of Solomon’s words’, acts, deeds, business and undertakings”. Solomon said the Supreme Deity Jehovah God is pleased with and favorable to his reader’s acts, deeds and undertakings.

When we think through Solomon’s words in this verse, we discovered how he instructed his readers to depart to enjoy consuming their food and drinking their fruit of the vine because the Supreme Deity Jehovah God is pleased with their acts and deeds. God wants an intimate personal relationship with us through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind. He was resurrected from the dead after three days so all who believe and trust in Him as their “Savior and Lord” will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with Him. God will provide His Holy Spirit to us to guide us into all truth and to teach us how to perform our acts and deeds in a manner that is not only pleasing to Him, but will also be rewarded for all eternity. (See John 16:13; 2 Corinthians 5:10)

Next time Solomon says, “Let your garments be always white”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Love, Hatred and Envy Perished - Ecclesiastes 9:6

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten”, and in chapter nine and verse six of his book Solomon said, “their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished” where we read,

Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished;

neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.

The verse reads, “Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; ” Solomon began with the words, “also their love” or “even so and indeed their, the people who are dead’s, passion and affection”, “and their hatred” which means “and their, the people who are dead’s, detestation and existing as an enemy and foe”, “and their envy” or “and their, the people who are dead’s, ardor, zeal and jealousy”, “is now perished” which means “exists at this time as vanished, destroyed and blotted away”. Solomon said the “love, hatred and envy” of people who have died has been eliminated and blotted away.

The verse goes on to say, “neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.” Solomon continued with the words, “neither have they” or “no and not in any way do they, the people who are dead, hold, own or possess” “any more a portion for ever” which means “no longer a part, share or parcel unto futurity, everlasting, perpetually and evermore” “in any thing” or “within any act, deed or speech “that is done” which means “that exists as performed, produced, fashioned and accomplished” “under the sun” or “beneath the sun in the sky”. Solomon said people who have died no longer possess a share or part eternally within any word, act or deed that is fashioned and accomplished beneath the sun in the sky.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we discover how Solomon noted the lack of “love, hatred, envy and share” that a dead person has in the world. All of those things are gone, and they no longer have significance within the person who has died. This again is an “earthly temporal” view which lacks an eternal perspective. God owns and disperses His possessions and gifts in keeping with His purpose and will, and because He loves us, 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 put our faith 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 the gifts He gives us upon the earth are employed to receive everlasting rewards that shall never fade away. (See Matthew 6:19)

Next time Solomon says, “Go your way, eat your bread with joy”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…