The Word for Today with Ray

Saturday, February 14, 2026

O Lord Hear and Forgive - Daniel 9:19

In the book of Daniel, Daniel prayed to God and said, “O my God, incline your ear, and hear; open your eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by your name: for we do not present our supplications before you for our righteousnesses, but for your great mercies”, and in chapter nine and verse nineteen of his book Daniel said, “O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive” where we read,

O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for your own sake, O my God: for your city and your people are called by your name.

The verse reads, “O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for your own sake, O my God:” Daniel began with the words, “O Lord” or “O Lord which is a title spoken in place of Yahweh as a Jewish display of reverence”, “hear” which means “listen, hearken and perceive”; “O Lord” or “O Lord which is a title spoken in place of Yahweh as a Jewish display of reverence”, “forgive” which means “spare and pardon”; “hearken and do” or “be attentive, give heed, pay attention to and listen to and fashion, accomplish and produce”; “defer not” which means “do not delay, hesitate or tarry”, “for your own sake” or “because, since and on account of your, Jehovah God’s, own personal purpose and intent”, “O my God” which means “O my, Daniel’s, Supreme Deity”. Daniel called upon Yahweh God to hearken, pardon, pay attention to, take action and not to delay on behalf of His own personal intent.

The verse goes on to say, “for your city and your people are called by your name.” Daniel continued with the words, “for your city” or “because, since and on account that your, Jehovah God’s, dwelling place, habitation and abode” “and your people” which means “and your, Jehovah God’s, human beings” “are called by your name” or “exist as commissioned, summoned, invited and appointed through the means of your, Jehovah God’s, fame, reputation and glory”. Daniel reminded Jehovah God that His dwelling place and human beings are commissioned and appointed through the means of His fame, reputation and glory.

When we consider Daniel’s words in this verse, we discover how he appealed to Jehovah God not only to “hear” him and the people of Israel, but also to “forgive” them. He reminded God that His dwelling place and His human beings located there were appointed and commissioned by His fame, reputation and glory. God wants to have a personal intimate relationship with us through His Son Jesus who was crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. When we surrender our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and to empower us to live according to that truth in a manner that is pleasing to Him.

Next time Daniel begins to tell what happened, “while I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin”, 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".

God Incline Your Ear and Hear - Daniel 9:18

In the book of Daniel, Daniel prayed to God and said, “O Lord, according to all your righteousness, I beseech you, let your anger and your fury be turned away from your city Jerusalem, your holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and your people are become a reproach to all that are about us. Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of your servant, and his supplications, and cause your face to shine upon your sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake”, and in chapter nine and verse eighteen of his book Daniel said, “O my God, incline your ear, and hear” where we read,

O my God, incline your ear, and hear; open your eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by your name: for we do not present our supplications before you for our righteousnesses, but for your great mercies.

The verse reads, “O my God, incline your ear, and hear; open your eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by your name:” Daniel began with the words, “O my God” or “O my, Daniel’s, Supreme Deity”, “incline your ear” which means “and stretch out, extend and bend low your, Jehovah God’s, physical ear for hearing”, “and hear” or “and listen, perceive, give heed, obey and understand”; “open your eyes” which means “make observant your, Jehovah God’s, eyes for vision and sight”, “and behold our desolations” or “and look at and consider our, Daniel and the people of Israel’s, waste and devastation”, “and the city which is called by your name” which means “and the habitation, dwelling place, abode and town that is uttered, proclaimed and declared according to your, Jehovah God’s, fame, reputation and glory”. Daniel appealed to Jehovah God to bend down his “ear” for hearing and perceiving, and to make his “eyes” for seeing to consider his and the people of Israel’s destruction and the sacred dwelling place that is declared according to Jehovah God’s fame, reputation and glory.

The verse continues, “for we do not present our supplications before you for our righteousnesses, but for your great mercies.” Daniel added the words, “for we do not present our supplications” or “because, since and on account that we, Daniel and the people of Israel, in no way or manner cast down, lay or turn out our, Daniel and the people of Israel’s, earnest prayers and entreaties” “before you” which means “in front and in the presence of you, Jehovah God” “for our righteousness” or “on behalf of our, Daniel and the people of Israel’s, just and right acts and deeds ”, “but for your great mercies” which means “except and indeed on behalf of your, Jehovah God’s, abounding, numerous and abundant pity and tender compassion”. Daniel told Jehovah God that he and the people of Israel did not lay out their earnest prayers before Him because they were right and just, but because they knew Jehovah God is filled with compassion and pity.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how Daniel called upon Jehovah God to open his hearing and seeing toward he and the people of Israel’s devastation. He also wanted God to consider the city of Jerusalem which was named according to His reputation, fame and glory. He knew their appeal to God could not be based upon their own right and just ways, but he could ask God to operate within His compassion and pity toward them. God is a loving, compassionate and personal God who desires a relationship with every persons 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 believe and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us so we live according to His truth and in a manner that is pleasing to His “ears and eyes”.

Next time Daniel says, “O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Hear the Prayer of Your Servant - Daniel 9:17

In the book of Daniel, Daniel prayed to God and said, “O Lord, according to all your righteousness, I beseech you, let your anger and your fury be turned away from your city Jerusalem, your holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and your people are become a reproach to all that are about us”, and in chapter nine and verse seventeen of his book Daniel said, “hear the prayer of your servant” where we read,

Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of your servant, and his supplications,

and cause your face to shine upon your sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake.

The verse reads, “Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of your servant, and his supplications, …” Daniel began with the words, “now therefore” or “at this time wherefore, then and on this account”, “O our God” which means “O our, Daniel and the people of Israel’s, Supreme Deity”, “hear the prayer” or “listen to, give heed to and yield to the intercession and supplication” “of your servant” which means “belonging to your, Jehovah God’s, bondman, worshiper and man of servile condition”, “and his supplications” or “and his, Jehovah God’s servant’s, earnest prayer and entreaty”. Daniel called upon his and the people of Israel’s Supreme Deity to give audience to the intercession of His minister and bondman and the earnest prayers he was giving.

The verse goes on to say, “… and cause your face to shine upon your sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake.” Daniel continued with the words, “and cause your face” or “and make your, Jehovah God’s, front and countenance” “to shine upon your sanctuary” which means “to be illuminated and lighted upon your, Jehovah God’s, sacred and holy place or temple” “that is desolate” or “that exists as devastated, deserted and ruined”, “for the Lord’s sake” which means “on behalf of the cause of the title which is spoken in place of Yahweh in a Jewish display of reverence”. Daniel also asked Jehovah God to make His countenance bring illumination to His sacred worship place that existed in devastation and ruin.

When we mediate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel how he appealed to Jehovah God to give audience to his intercessions and to make His countenance bring light upon His sacred temple that was lying in ruin. We admire the humility of Daniel as he called upon God to “hear” him, and his appeal was for God to intercede in his life and the spiritual lives of the people of Israel. God wants to have a personal relationship with us through His Son Jesus who came into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when He raised Him from the grave 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 provided with His Holy Spirit who will listen to us and guide us into all truth according to His Divine purpose and will.

Next time Daniel says, “O my God, incline your ear, and hear”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Let Your Anger and Fury Be Turned Away - Daniel 9:16

In the book of Daniel, Daniel said, “the LORD watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us: for the LORD our God is righteous in all his works which he does: for we obeyed not his voice. And now, O Lord our God, that have brought your people forth out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and have gotten you renown, as at this day; we have sinned, we have done wickedly”, and in chapter nine and verse sixteen of his book Daniel said, “let your anger and your fury be turned away from your city Jerusalem” where we read,

O Lord, according to all your righteousness, I beseech you, let your anger and your fury be turned away from your city Jerusalem, your holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and your people are become a reproach to all that are about us.

The verse reads, “O Lord, according to all your righteousness, I beseech you, let your anger and your fury be turned away from your city Jerusalem, your holy mountain:” Daniel began with the words, “O Lord” or “O Yahweh which is a title spoken in place of Yahweh as a Jewish display of reverence”, “according to all your righteousness” which means “in keeping with each, every, the whole and everything to do with your, Jehovah God’s, justice, salvation, prosperity and moral virtue”, “I beseech you” or “I, Daniel, pray, beg and entreat you, Jehovah God”, “let your anger” which means “allow and permit your, Jehovah God’s, wrath that wrinkles the nostrils and nose” “and your fury” or “and your, Jehovah God’s, heated rage, hot displeasure and indignation” “be turned away from your city” which means “exist as separate and apart from your, Jehovah God’s, dwelling place, habitation and abode” “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”, “your holy mountain” or “your, Jehovah God’s, sacred, set apart, consecrated and hallowed rising above the plain, range of hills or hill country”. Daniel prayed to Jehovah God that He would permit His wrath to be separated from “Jerusalem” which is His sacred dwelling place.

The verse continues, “because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and your people are become a reproach to all that are about us.” Daniel added the words, “because for our sins” or “since and on account that on behalf of our, Daniel and the people of Israels, errors, wrongs and missing of the mark” ,“and for the iniquities” which means “and on behalf of the perversities, depravities and mischievous acts and deeds” “of our fathers” or “belonging to our, Daniel and the people of Israel’s, male progenitors and ancestors”, “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” “and your people” or “and your, Jehovah God’s, human beings” “are become a reproach” which means “and have come to exist as a shamed, taunted and scorned” “to all that are about us” or “to each, every, the whole and everyone of the people who surround us, Daniel and the people of Israel”. Daniel said on account that he, the people of Israel, their forefathers and the city of “Jerusalem sinned”, their reputation was shamed and taunted among the other people within the world.

When we consider the words in this verse, we discover through Daniel how God remained just and right even though Daniel, the people of Israel, their forefathers and the city of Jerusalem sinned against Him. Their “sins” cause them to gain a shameful reputation among the people who surrounded them, and God could have easily brought judgment upon them. However, God loves people, and when He gave us His instructions and law, He did so because He knows what is best for our lives. Because we have all violated His commandments, and those violations lead to death, God sent His Only Begotten Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for our sins. When He raised Him from the dead, He made the way for us to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and provided with His Holy Spirit to help us live in keeping with His reputation and in a way that is pleasing to Him. (See Romans 3:10, 23; 6:23; John 16:13; Acts 1:8)

Next time Daniel says, “hear the prayer of your servant”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Friday, February 13, 2026

We Have Sinned and Done Wickedly - Daniel 9:15

And now, O Lord our God, that have brought your people forth out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and have gotten you renown, as at this day; we have sinned, we have done wickedly.

The verse reads, “And now, O Lord our God, that have brought your people forth out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, …” Daniel began with the words, “and now” or “and at this time”, “O Lord our God” which means “O Yahweh which is a title spoken in place of Yahweh as a Jewish display of reverence, our, Daniel and the people of Israel’s, Supreme Deity”, “that have brought your people forth” or “who have lead and delivered your, Jehovah God’s, human beings” “out of the land of Egypt” which means “from the region, district and territory belonging to Egypt whose name means land of the Copts and is a country at the northeastern section of Africa, adjacent to Palestine, and through which the Nile flows” “with a mighty hand” or “by the use of a strong, stout and firm hand of authority”. Daniel addressed Jehovah God by referring to the way He lead the people of Israel out of the country of “Egypt” by the power of His strong hand of authority.

The verse goes on to say, “… and have gotten you renown, as at this day; we have sinned, we have done wickedly.” Daniel continued with the words, “and have gotten you renown” or “and have fashioned, made and produced you, Jehovah God, honor, reputation, fame and glory” ,“as at this day” which means “indeed and also to the current time period”; “we have sinned” or “we, Daniel and the people of Israel, have erred, missed the mark, gone wrong and made mistakes”, “we have done wickedly” which means “we, Daniel and the people of Israel, have performed and produced trouble and vexation”. Daniel said Jehovah God brought lasting honor and reputation to His name to the current “day” by rescuing the people of Israel, however, he and the people of Israel committed errors and wrongs and were filled with vexation and trouble.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel how Jehovah God gained a great reputation because He delivered the people of Israel from the “land of Egypt” with His powerful hand of authority, however, the people of Israel missed the mark and performed evil deeds in response to Him. We can only imagine how disappointing this must have been, but let us keep in mind that God was well aware of the rebellious hearts within the people of Israel. Although He rescued them, they responded in “sin”. They were much like we are today, and because we too have sin in our lives, God sent His Only Begotten 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 to help us respond to His rescue by living in a righteous and just manner that is pleasing to Him. (See 2 Corinthians 5:21)

Next time Daniel says, “let your anger and your fury be turned away from your city Jerusalem”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Thursday, February 12, 2026

The LORD Watched Upon the Evil - Daniel 9:14

In the book of Daniel, Daniel prayed to God and said, “all Israel have transgressed your law, even by departing, that they might not obey your voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him. And he has confirmed his words, which he spoke against us, and against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil: for under the whole heaven has not been done as has been done upon Jerusalem. As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand your truth”, and in chapter nine and verse fourteen of his book Daniel shared how, “the LORD watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us” where we read,

Therefore has the LORD watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us: for the LORD our God is righteous in all his works which he does: for we obeyed not his voice.

The verse reads, “Therefore has the LORD watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us:” Daniel began with the words, “therefore has the LORD” or “wherefore, then and on this account has Jehovah whose name means ‘the existing One’ and is the proper name of the One True God” “watched upon the evil” which means “was alert to, wakeful over and looked at the bad, disagreeableness, malignancy and unpleasantness”, “and brought it upon us” or “caused it to fall on and besiege us, Daniel and the people of Israel”. Daniel said the result of he and the people not going to Jehovah God in prayer was that God observed the disagreeableness and allowed it to fall upon him and the people of Israel.

The verse continues, “for the LORD our God is righteous in all his works which he does: for we obeyed not his voice.” Daniel added the words, “for the LORD our God” or “because, since and on account that Jehovah whose name means the existing One and is the proper name for the One True God our, Daniel and the people of Israel’s, Supreme Deity” “is righteous” which means “exists as just, lawful, correct and right” “in all his works” or “within each, every, the whole and everyone of his, Jehovah God’s, acts, deeds and labors” “which he does” which means “that he, Jehovah God, performs and produces”: “for we obeyed not his voice” or “because, since and on account that we, Daniel and the people of Israel, in no way or manner heard, listened to, perceived or hearkened to his, Jehovah God’s, sound and noise of uttered words”. Daniel said Jehovah God, the Supreme Deity, is just and lawful in every one of his deeds and labors, and their problem was that he and the people of Israel did not hearken to God’s uttered words.

When we meditate the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel how God observed all the wickedness performed by Daniel and the people of Israel, and God caused it to come upon them. God is right and just in every one of his labors and deeds, and His desires is to have an intimate personal relationship with us through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When He raised Him from the grave after three days, He made the way for us to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and equipped with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and empower us to live according to His ways so we will never need to fall under His righteous and just hand of judgment.

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

Until tomorrow…there is more…

All This Evil is Come Upon Us - Daniel 9:13

In the book of Daniel, Daniel prayed to God and said, “To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him. Neither have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets. Yes, all Israel have transgressed your law, even by departing, that they might not obey your voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him. And he has confirmed his words, which he spoke against us, and against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil: for under the whole heaven has not been done as has been done upon Jerusalem”, and in chapter nine and verse thirteen of his book Daniel said, “as it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us” where we read,

As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand your truth.

The verse reads, “As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us:” Daniel began with the words, “as it is written” or “in likeness and similar to the way the following is inscribed and engraved” “in the law of Moses” which means “within the commandments and precepts belonging to Moses whose name means drawing out and was the prophet and lawgiver who was the leader of the exodus”, “all this evil” or “each, every and the whole of this bad, disagreeableness, malignancy, displeasure and wickedness” “is come upon us” which means “has entered, on us, Daniel and the people of Israel”. Daniel shared how “Moses” wrote in his commandments how the consequences of displeasure and wickedness would come upon the people who disobeyed God’s law. (See Leviticus 26:14-46)

The verse goes on to say, “yet made we not our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand your truth.” Daniel continued with the words, “yet made we not our prayer” or “still we, Daniel and the people of Israel’s, did not become weak, grieved or sorry” “before the LORD” which means “in front of and in the presence of Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name of the One True God” “our God” or “our, Daniel and the people of Israel’s, Supreme Deity”, “that we might turn from our iniquities” which means “so we, Daniel and the people of Israel, would repent of our, Daniel and the people of Israel’s, perversities, depravities, mischiefs and and sin”, “and understand your truth” or “and be circumspect, prudent and insightful into your, Jehovah God’s, firmness, faithfulness, sureness and reliability”. Daniel said he and the people did not humble themselves to make intercession in the presence of Jehovah God the Supreme Deity that would result in repentance of their sins and comprehending God’s faithfulness and reliability.

When we consider Daniel's words in this verse, we discover how he and the people of Israel suffered wicked consequences because of their sins against Jehovah God, but they did not make intercession in the presence of Him that would cause them to repent of their wicked ways and have insight into His faithfulness. God wants the best for us, and when we humble ourselves, repent of our sins and put our faith and trust in 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 the power of His Holy Spirit not only to know His ways, but also to obey them.

Next time Daniel says, “the LORD watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…