The Word for Today with Ray: September 2023

Saturday, September 30, 2023

Evildoers Cut Off - Psalms 37:9

In Psalms chapter thirty seven David said, “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not yourself because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not yourself in any wise to do evil”, and in chapter thirty seven and verse nine of Psalms David said, “evildoers shall be cut off” where we read,

For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.

The verse begins, “For evildoers shall be cut off:” David began with the words, “For evildoers” or “because, since and on account that people who commit displeasing, injurious and wicked acts and deeds” “shall be cut off” or “will be eliminated, cut out, killed and hewn down”. David said people who commit injurious and wicked acts will be eliminated and hewn down.

The verse continues, “but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.” David added the words, “but those that wait” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover the people who eagerly look for, hope and have expectation” “upon the LORD” which means “on Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God”, “they shall inherit” or “the people who wait upon the LORD will seize, take possession and occupy” “the earth” which means “the land, country, territory, ground and whole world”. David said people who eagerly look for and have expectation in Jehovah God will seize and take possession of the whole world.

When we meditate upon words in this verse, we learn through David the fate of people who commit wicked and injurious deeds. They will be eliminated, however, anyone who puts their hope and expectation in Jehovah God will possess the world. Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth”, (See Matthew 5:5) and when we surrender ourselves to Jehovah God's Son Jesus as our “Savior and Lord”, we have humbled ourselves, repented of our sins and yielded in “meekness” to Him. He will forgive our sins and grant us everlasting life when we submit to Him, and as we continue to have hope and expectation in Him, we too shall “inherit the earth”.

Next time David says, “for yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be”, 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".

Cease from Anger and Wrath - Psalms 37:8

In Psalms chapter thirty seven David said, “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not yourself because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked devices to pass”, and in chapter thirty seven and verse eight of Psalms David said, “Cease from anger, and forsake wrath” where we read,

Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not yourself in any wise to do evil.

The verse begins, “Cease from anger, and forsake wrath:” David began with the words, “Cease from anger” or “drop, relax and withdraw separate and apart from the wrinkling of the nostrils or nose with rapid breathing, passion and ire”, “and forsake wrath” or “and depart, leave, abandon and let loose of heat, rage, hot displeasure, indignation and fever”. David instructed his readers and listeners to withdraw from rapid burning passion and ire and to depart and abandon hot displeasure and indignation.

The verse goes on to say, “fret not yourself in any wise to do evil.” David continued with the words, “fret not yourself” or “do not allow your own self to be hot, furious, angry, kindled and incensed” “in any wise” which means “indeed, surely and certainly not” “to do evil” or “to perform, produce or make ready injurious, wicked and good for nothing deeds and acts”. David told his readers and listeners not to be so furious and incensed that they committed wicked and injurious deeds.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how David told his readers and listeners to depart from ire, rage, hot displeasure and indignation toward “evildoers”, and they were not to respond to them with their own injurious and wicked deeds. Jehovah God knows the acts and deeds of every person, and no one escapes His judgment for what they say or do. He sent His Son Jesus to pay the penalty of death on the cross for the sins of the world, and therein took the judgment of all sins upon Himself. (See 2 Corinthians 5:21) Now when we believe and trust in Jesus as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins and grant us everlasting life with Him. In other words, judgment for sins was put upon Jesus, and those who receive Him have their sins judged. Anyone who refuses and rejects Jesus has no redemption for their sins, and they will be judged on the basis of their own evil acts and deeds.

Next time David says, “evildoers shall be cut off”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Rest in the LORD - Psalms 37:7

In Psalms chapter thirty seven David said, “Commit your way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your judgment as the noonday”, and in chapter thirty seven and verse seven of Psalms David said, “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him” where we read,

Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not yourself because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked devices to pass.

The verse begins, “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him:” David began with the words, “Rest in the LORD” or “be silent, still and quiet within Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God”, “and wait patiently for him” or “and twist, whirl and dance longingly for him, Jehovah God”. David encouraged his readers and listeners to “be still” and “dance longingly” for Him.

The verse continues, “fret not yourself because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked devices to pass.” David added the words, “fret not yourself” or “do not become hot, furious, angry or kindled” “because of him who prospers in his way” which means “since and on account of the person whether male or female who advances, makes progress, succeeds becomes prosperous and successful”, “because of the man” or “since and on account of the person whether male or female” “who brings wicked devices to pass” which means “who fashions, accomplishes, makes and produces evil, sagacity, lewdness and mischievous devices”. David instructed his readers and listeners not to become furious and angry about people who are successful and produce evil and lewd acts and devises.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn more of David's instructions to people who read and listen to his words. They, and we, are to be still and silent within Jehovah God, and be so at peace with Him, that we dance and whirl longingly in His presence. We are not to be angry and furious at people who prosper or receive great gain because of their evil acts and deeds. These are temporary successes, and they are not eternal and everlasting. God wants us to receive prosperity and success that lasts forever, and He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die for our sins so we may receive His gifts. When we put our faith and trust in Jesus, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and bless us in ways that last forever and ever, and we will be silent and dance longingly for Him throughout eternity.

Next time David says, “Cease from anger, and forsake wrath”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Righteousness and Judgment Brought Forth - Psalms 37:6

In Psalms chapter thirty seven David said, “Fret not yourself because of evildoers, … Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shall you dwell in the land, and verily you shall be fed. Delight yourself also in the LORD; and he shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass”, and in chapter thirty seven and verse six of Psalms David said, “he shall bring forth your righteousness” where we read,

And he shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your judgment as the noonday.

The verse begins, “And he shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, ...” David began with the words, “and he shall bring forth” or “and he, Jehovah God, will lead and cause” “your righteousness” or “ your, David's readers and listeners', rightness, justice, justification, victory and prosperity” “as the light” which means “in similar manner and likeness to the daylight, illumination, brightness and clarity like the morning sun”. David said Jehovah God would cause the justice and victory of his readers and listeners to shine like the brightness of the morning sun.

The verse goes on to say, “... and your judgment as the noonday.” David continued with the words, “and your judgment” or “and your, David's readers and listeners', justice, judgment, procedure, litigation, sentence and decision” “as the noonday” which means “in likeness to the midday light”. David said the people reading and listening to his words would have their justice, sentence and litigation performed as bright as the midday sun.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we see through David how people who commit their ways to Jehovah God and trust in Him would cause Him to make their rightness, prosperity, justice and sentence shine brightly. God desires to bless people, and He will provide justice and rightness to those who put their confidence in Him. Jehovah God sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross so everyone may have an opportunity to surrender to Him, and when we believe and trust in Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and bring about any justice and decision with a brightness and merriment like the morning and midday sun.

Next time David says, “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Commit Your Way to the LORD - Psalms 37:5

In Psalms chapter thirty seven David said, “Fret not yourself because of evildoers, … Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shall you dwell in the land, and verily you shall be fed. Delight yourself also in the LORD; and he shall give you the desires of your heart”, and in chapter thirty seven and verse five of Psalms David said, “Commit your way unto the LORD” where we read,

Commit your way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

The verse begins, “Commit your way unto the LORD;” David began with the words, “commit your way” or “roll up, flow down, seek occasion, trust and wallow in your, the people reading and listening to David's words, journey, path and direction” “unto the LORD” or “toward Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God”. David told his readers and listeners to seek occasion and trust their journey, direction and path to Jehovah God.

The verse continues, “trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.” David added the words, “trust also in him” or “have confidence, boldness and security within Jehovah God”; “and he shall bring it to pass” which means “and Jehovah God will accomplish, make, produce, prepare, attend to and put in order David's listeners and readers' path”. David exhorted his readers and listeners to put their confidence within Jehovah God, and the result would be that He would prepare and attend to their journey and path.

When we consider the words in this verse, we see how David gave people reading and hearing his words a solution to having their journey and path being according to the will of God. All one must do is “commit” their way to Him, and have confidence that He will direct them. Proverbs chapter three and verses five and six says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths”, and when we yield ourselves to God through His Son Jesus Christ, He will forgive our sins, grant us eternal life and guide us into all truth by His Holy Spirit. (See John 16:11). God loves us, and He made the ultimate sacrifice for us so that we may trust and “commit” our journey to Him.

Next time David says, “he shall bring forth your righteousness”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Friday, September 29, 2023

Delight in the LORD - Psalms 37:4

In Psalms chapter thirty seven David said, “Fret not yourself because of evildoers, neither be you envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shall you dwell in the land, and verily you shall be fed”, and in chapter thirty seven and verse four of Psalms David said, “Delight yourself also in the LORD” where we read,

Delight yourself also in the LORD; and he shall give you the desires of your heart.

The verse begins, “Delight yourself also in the LORD;” David began with the words, “Delight yourself” or “be soft, delicate, dainty and merry your own self” “also in the LORD” or “even so and indeed within Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God”. David instructed his listeners and readers to “be delicate, dainty and merry” within Jehovah God.

The verse goes on to say, “and he shall give you the desires of your heart.” David continued with the words, “and he shall give you” or “and he, Jehovah God, will deliver, grant, bestow, appoint and assign to you, people who delight in Jehovah God” “the desires of your heart” which means “the requests and petitions belonging to your, people who delight in Jehovah God's, inner man, mind, will, understanding, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory, inclination, resolution, determination and conscience”. David wrote how Jehovah God would grant to people who “delight” themselves in Him the requests and petitions of their inner man and souls.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn David's instruction to his readers and listeners to make themselves “merry” in Jehovah God, and when they do, Jehovah God will grant and bestow upon them the requests and petitions of their soul. The idea is that having God first is the priority, and then what a person desires will be given to them. Jesus said, “seek you first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you”, (See Matthew 6:33), and when we receive Jesus as our personal “Savior and Lord”, we align our will with His and we are given our requests. We are to “delight” ourselves in Jehovah God, and when His passions become our passions, He provides His Kingdom with that which He desires and we align ourselves with Him.

Next time David says, “Commit your way unto the LORD”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Trust in the LORD and Do Good - Psalms 37:3

In Psalms chapter thirty seven David said, “Fret not yourself because of evildoers, neither be you envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb”, and in chapter thirty seven and verse three of Psalms David said, “Trust in the LORD, and do good” where we read,

Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shall you dwell in the land, and verily you shall be fed.

The verse begins, “Trust in the LORD, and do good;” David began with the word, “Trust” or “be bold, have confidence and be secure” “in the LORD” or “within Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God”, “and do good” which means “and fashion, make, produce and prepare pleasant, agreeable, appropriate, happy and prosperous acts and deeds”. David encouraged his readers and listeners to put their confidence and security within Jehovah God and make and produce pleasant, agreeable and prosperous deeds.

The verse continues, “so shall you dwell in the land, and verily you shall be fed.” David added the words, “so shall you dwell” or “and thus or therefore you, people who trust in the LORD and do good, will settle down, abide, reside and be established” “in the land” which means “within the earth, country, territory, region and district”, “and verily” or “and truly or surely” “you shall be fed” which means “you, people who trust in the LORD and do good, will feed, graze and be as companions or friends”. David wrote how “people who trust in the LORD and do good” will abide in their territory and district and most assuredly be nourished like companions and friends there.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we see how David encouraged his readers and listeners to put their faith and confidence within Jehovah God, and while they were doing so, they were to perform and produce “good” deeds. This would result in Jehovah God's provision and care for them as they lived in their territories and districts. God loves to provide people with what they need, and when they come to Him through His Son Jesus, He will forgive their sins, grant them everlasting life and care for them both now and throughout eternity. We have an opportunity to turn aside from “fretting” over “evildoers and workers of iniquity”, and put our confidence and faith in Jesus Christ who will become our provision and protection as we yield our lives to Him.

Next time David says, “Delight yourself also in the LORD”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…