The Word for Today with Ray

Saturday, March 14, 2026

Eat, Drink and Enjoy the Good of Labor - Ecclesiastes 3:13

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “He has made every thing beautiful in his time: also he has set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God makes from the beginning to the end. I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life”, and in chapter three and verse thirteen of his book Solomon said, “every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labor”, where we read,

And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labor,

it is the gift of God.

The verse reads, “And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labor, …” Solomon began with the words, “and also” or “and even so and indeed” “that every man” which means “that each, every, the whole and all people both male and female” “should eat and drink” or “are to consume, devour and imbibe”, “and enjoy” which means “and see, perceive, have vision toward and regard” “the good of all his labor” or “the pleasantness, agreeableness and excellence pertaining each, every and the whole of his, the person’s, toil, trouble and wearisome effort”. Solomon said indeed everyone ought to consume, devour, imbibe and perceive the pleasantness pertaining to every portion of their toil and wearisome effort.

The verse continues, “… it is the gift of God.” Daniel added the words, “it is the gift” or “it, the enjoyment of eating, drinking and enjoyment of work, exists as the present and reward” “of God” which means “from the Supreme Deity Jehovah God”. Solomon said “eating, drinking and enjoyment of toil” exists as the reward from Jehovah God.

When we think through the words in this verse, we discover through Solomon his assessment of people “eating, drinking and enjoying their work” because they are the reward from Jehovah God. God gives gifts unto men (See Ephesians 4:8), and the greatest “gift” He gave was salvation and redemption from sins 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 to Him as our “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 concerning our “gifts” and help us to enjoy them all the days of our lives. (See John 16:13; Ephesians 4:11-13)

Next time Solomon says, “I know that, whatsoever God does, it shall be for ever”, 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 Good in Them - Ecclesiastes 3:12

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “He has made every thing beautiful in his time: also he has set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God makes from the beginning to the end”, and in chapter three and verse twelve of his book Solomon said, “I know that there is no good in them”, where we read,

I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.

The verse reads, “I know that there is no good in them, …” Solomon began with the words, “I know” or “I, Solomon, perceive, discern, discriminate and recognize” “that there is no good in them” which means “that there exists not any pleasantness, agreeableness and excellence within them, the loves of people” except for the following. Solomon said he was aware that there exist not any pleasantness or excellence within in the lives of people except for the following.

The verse goes on to say, “… but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.” Daniel continued with the words, “but for a man to rejoice” or “except that a person whether male or female be happy, glad and merry”, “and to do good” which means “and to perform pleasantness, agreeableness and excellence” “in his life” or “within his, the person’s, active living and maintenance”. Solomon said there existed no other pleasantness than for a person to be glad and perform excellence within their time of living.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how he understood that there existed no pleasantness and agreeableness within people other than to be glad and to perform excellence within their time of living. God knows the “times” of all people, and because He is concerned with all of us, He desires to be with us for all eternity. Our sins separate us from a relationship with Him, and for this reason 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 faith and trust in Him to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and equipped with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into His pleasant and joy filled life both in this world and in Heaven to come.

Next time Solomon says, “every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labor”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Everything Beautiful in His Time - Ecclesiastes 3:11

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “I have seen the travail, which God has given to the sons of men to be exercised in it”, and in chapter three and verse eleven of his book Solomon said, “He has made every thing beautiful in his time”, where we read,

He has made every thing beautiful in his time: also he has set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God makes from the beginning to the end.

The verse reads, “He has made every thing beautiful in his time:” Solomon began with the words, “he has made every thing beautiful” or “he, the Supreme Deity Jehovah God, has fashioned, accomplished and effected each, the whole and all acts, works and deeds as fair, handsome, goodly and pleasant” “in his time” which means “within his, the Supreme Deity Jehovah God’s, occasion and experience”. Solomon said Jehovah God has fashioned and formed all “things” that exist within his own occasion, experience and season.

The verse continues, “also he has set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God makes from the beginning to the end.” Daniel added the words, “also he has set the world” or “even so and indeed he, the Supreme Deity Jehovah God has put, placed, bestowed, granted and ascribed long duration, for ever, everlasting and continuous perpetual existence” “in their heart” which means “within their, people’s, souls and minds”, “so that no man” or “which causes not any person whether male or female” “can find out the work” which means “to be able to discover, attain, secure or acquire the deed, act and labor” “that God makes” or “that the Supreme Deity Jehovah God fashions, accomplishes and produces” “from the beginning” which means “separate and apart from the front, start and origination” “to the end” or “till the hinder part and conclusion”. Solomon shared how Jehovah God has place “eternity” within the souls and minds of people that no person is able to observe the scope of His labor from the start to the finish.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how God has fashioned everything goodly and pleasant within His own season, and He fashioned perpetual existence within the soul and mind of everyone. God formed people in such a way that no matter what they have done or who says anything against them, they have eternal life and the ability to be saved within them. God continually works to bring salvation and redemption to all mankind through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of everyone, and when He raised Him from the dead, He made the way through faith and trust in Him to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and given His Holy Spirit who will come inside us to help us remain in His eternal purposes all the days of our lives.

Next time Solomon says, “I know that there is no good in them”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

I Have Seen the Travail - Ecclesiastes 3:10

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon asked, “What profit has he that works in that wherein he labors?”, and in chapter three and verse ten of his book Solomon said, “I have seen the travail, which God has given to the sons of men”, where we read,

I have seen the travail, which God has given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.

The verse reads, “I have seen the travail, …” Solomon began with the words, “I have seen” or “I, Solomon, have noticed, perceived, discerned and observed” “the travail” which means “the occupation, task, job and employment” according to the following. Solomon shared how he observed the occupation and employment in keeping with the following.

The verse goes on to say, “… which God has given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.” Daniel continued with the words, “which God has given” or “that the Supreme Deity has put, set, bestowed, granted, permitted, ascribed and devoted” “to the sons of men” which means “toward the offspring and progeny belonging to human beings” “to be exercised in it” or “to exist as occupied, busied, afflicted and bowed down within the travail.” Solomon credited the Supreme Deity Jehovah God with ascribing to the offspring of people the “travail” that accompanies “work and labor”.

When we think through the words in this verse, we discover how Solomon observed the occupation and employment that the Supreme Deity granted to people. God provides for us according to His Divine purpose and will, and because we are eternal beings, He gave His Only Begotten Son Jesus to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised Him from the dead after three days. When we submit to Him as our “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 and empower us to live according to that truth so we may function in the “travail” He has given to us to “exercise”.

Next time Solomon says, “He has made every thing beautiful in his time”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

What Profit Has He that Works? - Ecclesiastes 3:9

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon contrasted different times including, “a time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away. A time to rend, and a time to sow; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak. A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace”, and in chapter three and verse nine of his book Solomon asked, “what profit has he that works?”, where we read,

What profit has he that works in that wherein he labors?

The verse reads, “What profit has he that works …” Solomon began with the words, “what profit” or “whatsoever excellency, advantage or gain” “has he that works” which means “possesses the person who fashions, accomplishes, makes and produces”. Solomon questioned whatsoever gain does the person who produces and labors according to the following.

The verse continues, “… in that wherein he labors?” Daniel added the words, “in that wherein” or “in which and whatever” “he labors” which means “he, the person who fashions, accomplishes and toils in misery”. Solomon asked what advantage a person has in that which he toils in misery.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how Solomon questioned the advantage that a person gains when they toil in their acts and deeds. It’s as though he felt it was a waste of time to “labor”. We must remember that this comes from a man who has tried everything “under the sun” and finds it “vanity and vexation”. God knows without 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, “works and labors” are unfulfilling. 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 guide us into satisfying “works” that shall be rewarded for all eternity.

Next time Solomon says, “I have seen the travail, which God has given to the sons of men”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

A Time to Love, Hate, War and Have Peace - Ecclesiastes 3:8

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon contrasted different times including, “a time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away. A time to rend, and a time to sow; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak”, and in chapter three and verse eight of his book Solomon shared about, “a time to love, hate, war and have peace”, where we read,

A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

The verse reads, “A time to love, and a time to hate;” Solomon began with the words, “a time to love” or “an occurrence and experience to have fond affection and passion”, “and a time to hate” which means “and an occurrence and experience to be odious and as a enemy and foe”. Solomon shared how there is an occasion for affection and passion as well as an occasion to be odious and as an enemy.

The verse goes on to say, “a time of war, and a time of peace.” Daniel continued with the words, “a time of war” or “an occurrence and experience to battle and fight”, “and a time of peace” which means “and an occurrence and experience to completeness, soundness, welfare, safety, health and prosperity”. Solomon shared about the contrast between battle and safety.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon about the contrast between occasions to “love, hate, war and have peace”. Each of these have their place in the lives of most individuals in the world. God’s desire is to have a personal relationship with us 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 our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us in “love, hate, war and peace” according to His Divine purpose and will.

Next time Solomon asks, “what profit has he that works?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

A Time to Rend, Sow, Keep Silence and Speak - Ecclesiastes 3:7

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon contrasted different times including, “A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing. A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away”, and in chapter three and verse seven of his book Solomon shared about, “a time to rend, sow, keep silence and speak”, where we read,

A time to rend, and a time to sow; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

The verse reads, “A time to rend, and a time to sow;” Solomon began with the words, “a time to rend” or “an occurrence and experience to tear and pieces or cut out”, “and a time to sow” which means “and an occurrence and experience to sow and affix together”. Solomon contrasted the occasion for tearing versus the occasion to affix things back together.

The verse continues, “a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;” Daniel added the words, “a time to keep silence” or “an occurrence and experience to be quiet, inactive and still”, “and a time to speak” which means “an occurrence and experience to utter, declare, converse, promise, warn and threaten”. Solomon contrasted the occasion to keep quiet versus the opportunity to declare and warn.

When we think through Solomon’s words in this verse, we see how he continued his list of contrasting activities, and in his redundant manner, he spoke of tearing, mending, being quiet and making declarations. Each of these activities are important in their proper element and “time”, however, God desires to have a personal intimate relationship with us through His Son Jesus who was crucified 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 to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and equipped with His Holy Spirit so regardless of whether we are “rending, sowing, keeping silent or speaking” He will be with us and guide us as we live before His eyes.

Next time Solomon shares about, “a time to love, hate, war and have peace”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…