The Word for Today with Ray

Friday, March 6, 2026

Solomon the Preacher - Ecclesiastes 1:12

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after”, and in chapter one and verse twelve of his book Solomon said, “I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem”, where we read,

I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem.

The verse reads, “I the Preacher was king …” Solomon began with the words, “I the Preacher” or “I, Solomon, the minister, public speaker and collector of sentences” “was king” which means “existed as royal ruler and leader”. Solomon restated the idea of him being the minister and public speaker as the royal ruler and leader.

The verse continues, “… over Israel in Jerusalem.” Daniel added the words, “over Israel” or “above and beyond Israel whose name means God prevails the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob” “in Jerusalem” which means “within Jerusalem whose name means teaching of peace and is the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split”. Solomon referred to how he ruled above the nation of “Israel” within the city of “Jerusalem”.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how Solomon referred to his status, position, speaking ability and rule in the nation of “Israel” within the city of “Jerusalem”. In other words, he was speaking from a place of authority. God gave Solomon his position and wisdom, and when he spoke, he was using the position of power and right given to him. God loves people, and He wants to be in a personal relationship with us through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for our sins and was resurrected from the dead after three days. When we put our faith and trust in Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth so we may use the positions of authority He provides to benefit and bless others within His kingdom.

Next time Solomon says, “I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things”, 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".

No Remembrance of Former Things - Ecclesiastes 1:11

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon asked, “Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it has been already of old time, which was before us”, and in chapter one and verse eleven of his book Solomon said, “there is no remembrance of former things”, where we read,

There is no remembrance of former things;

neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.

The verse reads, “There is no remembrance of former things;” Solomon began with the words, “there is no remembrance” or “there exists not any memorial, reminder or record” “of former things” which means “pertaining to first, beforetime and previous acts, deed, gadgets and devices”. Solomon said the “things” that have previously been will not be remembered.

The verse goes on to say, “neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.” Daniel continues with the words, “neither shall there be” or “no and not in any way will there exist” “any remembrance” which means “a memorial, reminder or record” “of things that are to come” or “pertaining to acts, deeds, devices and gadgets that are in the future” “with those that shall come after” which means “alongside and accompanying the people who will exist following them.” Solomon said there will not in any way be a memorial, reminder or record pertaining to acts, deed, devices and gadgets that exist within the future or with the future generations after that.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how Solomon seems exasperated. He proclaimed that nothing will be remembered whether it was in the past or in the future and the future after that. God knows the memory of people is short, and for this reason and others He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When He raised Him from the dead after three days, He made the way through belief and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord” to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and equipped with His Holy Spirit so we may know He remembers everything and will provide for our memories according to His Divine purpose and will.

Next time Solomon says, “I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See, This is New? - Ecclesiastes 1:10

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “the thing that has been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun”, and in chapter one and verse ten of his book Solomon asked, “Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new?”, where we read,

Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new?

it has been already of old time, which was before us.

The verse reads, “Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new?” Solomon began with the words, “is there any thing” or “does there exist any act, deed, device or gadget” “whereof it may be said” which means “in which it, the following words, might be uttered, declared and proclaimed”, “see, this is new” or “look, inspect, perceive and consider, this particular act, deed, device or gadget exists as fresh”? Solomon questioned whether that was any act, deed, device or gadget that may be considered as fresh.

The verse continues, “it has been already of old time, which was before us.” Daniel added the words, “it has been already” or “it, the particular act, deed, device or gadget has previously and formally existed” “of old time” which means “pertaining to antiquity, evermore, and from long ago”, “which was before us” or “that existed in our face, presence and surface”. Solomon said the “things” that are deemed to be fresh existed from a long time ago in our presence.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we see how Solomon continued his words concerning “new things”. He said they have existed from a long time ago. God knows all things, and because He is omniscient, He knows what truly satisfies us. “Things” do not satisfy. Acts, deeds, gadgets and devices as new as they may appear, pale in comparison to a personal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus who was sent into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. He was raised 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 satisfy our lives in a way that all other “things” pale in comparison.

Next time Solomon says, “there is no remembrance of former things”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Been and Shall Be - Ecclesiastes 1:9

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “all things are full of labor; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing”, and in chapter one and verse nine of his book Solomon said, “the thing that has been, it is that which shall be”, where we read,

The thing that has been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.

The verse reads, “The thing that has been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done:” Solomon began with the words, “the thing that has been” or “whatsoever has existed”, “it is that which shall be” which means “that thing exists as what will happen, occur and come to pass”; “and that which is done” or “and whatsoever exists as fashioned, accomplished and produced” “is that which shall be done” which means “exists as whatsoever will exist as fashioned, accomplished and produced”. Solomon referred to whatsoever has existed will exist again, and whatsoever has been performed will be performed again.

The verse goes on to say, “and there is no new thing under the sun.” Daniel continued with the words, “and there is no new thing” or “and there exists not one fresh act, deed, device or gadget” “under the sun” which means “beneath the sun in the sky”. Solomon said not one “thing” is fresh and recently developed beneath the “sun” in the sky.

When we consider Solomon's words in this verse, we discover how he addressed the “new things and activities” which are beneath the “sun” in the sky. His conclusion was that there were none, and we can imagine according to a man with his mindset, every “thing” and every “act” is mundane. The idea is that none of these acts or deeds satisfy because only a personal relationship with God 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 grave after three days truly satisfies. When we yield our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth which will bring us satisfaction like no other thing or deed.

Next time Solomon asks, “Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

All Things are Full of Labor - Ecclesiastes 1:8

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “all the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from where the rivers come, there they return again”, and in chapter one and verse eight of his book Solomon said, “all things are full of labor”, where we read,

All things are full of labor; man cannot utter it:

the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.

The verse reads, “All things are full of labor; man cannot utter it:” Solomon began with the words, “all things” or “each, every, the whole and everything” “are full of labor” which means “exists as wearisome and tiresome”; “man cannot utter it” or “male human beings are unable to declare and proclaim it, the description of labor”. Solomon said everything done is so wearisome that it is beyond description.

The verse continues, “the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.” Daniel added the words, “the eye is not satisfied with seeing” or “the physical eye for sight exists as sated, fulfilled and surfeited by the use of being able to see”, “nor the ear filled with hearing” which means “no and not in any way is the physical ear consecrated, accomplished and abundantly filled by the use of listening, perceiving and understanding”. Solomon referred to the lack of fulfillment of the vision of the physical eye and the ability for the physical ear to hear.

When we think through the words in this verse, we discover through Solomon how he referred to the redundancy and lack of fulfillment that is found in the “eye” and “ear”. According to Solomon, the “eye” is never satisfied with what it has seen, and the “ear” is not satisfied with what it has heard. These words come from “the wisest man” among the kings of Israel. Sad, isn't it? God’s desire is to be our satisfaction and fulfillment, and when we yield our lives to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and fulfill our lives in vision and hearing in keeping with His Divine will and purpose for us.

Next time Solomon says, “the thing that has been, is that which shall be”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Thursday, March 5, 2026

Rivers Running into the Sea - Ecclesiastes 1:7

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “the wind goes toward the south, and turns about unto the north; it whirls about continually, and the wind returns again according to his circuits”, and in chapter one and verse seven of his book Solomon said, “all the rivers run into the sea”, where we read,

All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full;

unto the place from where the rivers come, there they return again.

The verse reads, “All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full;” Solomon began with the words, “all the rivers” or “each, every, the whole and everyone of the running streams” “run into the sea” which means “depart, proceed and go in the large body of water”; “yet the sea” or “still the large body of water” “is not full” which means “exists as in no way overflowing, filled to the brim and at capacity”. Solomon shared how every one of the flowing streams proceed toward the large body of water, however, the large body of water is never at capacity.

The verse goes on to say, “unto the place from whence the rivers come, there they return again.” Daniel continued with the words, “unto the place” or “to the locations” “from where the rivers come” which means “separate and apart from the locations that the flowing streams arrive and enter”, “there they return again” or “they, the flowing streams, go back another time”. Solomon referred to how the flowing stream goes back the origin of the location another time.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how Solomon referred to the “water cycle” that is upon the earth. Water begins in the large bodies of water, is evaporated into a vapor into the sky, proceeds over land, forms into rain which falls upon the ground, makes it’s way to running streams that empty into the large bodies of water. Then, the process begins all over again. God designed this, and because He loves us, He wants us to live with Him eternally. He made the way for this through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for our sins and was 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 put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and give us an appreciation for all the cycles, including the water cycle, that He has formed.

Next time Solomon says, “all things are full of labor”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

The Wind Going South and North - Ecclesiastes 1:6

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “One generation passes away, and another generation comes: but the earth abides for ever. The sun also arises, and the sun goes down, and hastes to his place where he arose”, and in chapter one and verse six of his book Solomon said, “the wind goes toward the south, and turns about unto the north”, where we read,

The wind goes toward the south, and turns about unto the north;

it whirls about continually, and the wind returns again according to his circuits.

The verse reads, “The wind goes toward the south, and turns about unto the north;” Solomon began with the words, “the wind goes toward the south” or “the breeze proceeds to the southern direction” ,“and turns about” which means “and encircles and changes direction” “unto the north” or “to the northern direction”. Solomon referred to the way the breeze proceeds to the southern direction, changes it’s path, and goes to the northern direction.

The verse continues, “it whirls about continually, and the wind returns again according to his circuits.” Daniel added the words, “it whirls about continually” or “it, the wind, encircles, changes direction and proceeds”, “and the wind returns again” which means “and the breeze yet goes and turns back another time” “according to his circuits” or “in keeping with his, the wind’s, places round about and environs”. Solomon shared how the “wind” encircles, changes direction constantly and goes back in keeping with it’s round about places and environs.

When we consider the words in this verse, we discover how Solomon spoke of the circuits of the “winds”. It goes one direction, turns around and returns to the location it started. Once again Solomon speaks of the monotony of things coming in and things going out. God created the “wind” circuits, and they are employed on His earth in keeping with His perfect plan and will. He wants us to have a personal relationship with 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. 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 and equip us with an appreciation for all the “circuits” He created in the world. (See John 3:8)

Next time Solomon says, “all the rivers run into the sea”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…