The Word for Today with Ray: 2025

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Happiness in Fearing Always - Proverbs 28:14

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “He that covers his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy”, and in chapter twenty-eight and verse fourteen of Proverbs Solomon said, “happy is the man that fears always” where we read,

Happy is the man that fears always:

but he that hardens his heart shall fall into mischief.

The verse begins, “Happy is the man that fears always:” Solomon began with the words, “happy is the man” or “blessed exists the person whether male or female” “that fears always” which means “who trembles, reveres, dreads and is in awe unto continuity, perpetually and at all times”. Solomon said the person who is in awe and reveres at all times is blessed.

The verse goes on to say, “but he that hardens his heart shall fall into mischief.” Solomon continued with the words, “but he that hardens his heart” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover the person whether male or female who makes harsh, severe, ill-treated, burdensome and stubborn their soul, mind, will, desires, living being, conscience and seat of emotions and affections” “shall fall into mischief” which means “will be prostrated, cast down and made to descend into bad, disagreeableness, malignancy and displeasure”. Solomon said the person with a stubborn and harsh soul, mind and will descend into malignancy and trouble.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon that there is a difference between the person who has awe and reverence for Jehovah God and the person who descends into trouble because they have stubborn souls. God wants to redeem every person from harsh souls, and He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind to make that possible. When we yield to Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and bless us as we give Him reverence and awe at all times.

Next time Solomon shares how a “wicked ruler” is like, “a roaring lion, and a ranging bear”, 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".

Not Prosperous in Covering Sin - Proverbs 28:13

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “when righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden”, and in chapter twenty-eight and verse thirteen of Proverbs Solomon said, “he that covers his sins shall not prosper” where we read,

He that covers his sins shall not prosper:

but whoso confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy.

The verse begins, “He that covers his sins shall not prosper:” Solomon began with the words, “he that covers his sins” or “the person whether male or female who clothes, conceals and makes secret their missing of the mark, mistakes and transgressions” “shall not prosper” which means “will in no way or manner advance, make progress, succeed or be profitable”. Solomon said the person who conceals their errors and transgressions will in no way advance or succeed.

The verse continues, “but whoso confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy.” Solomon added the words, “but whoso confesses” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover the person whether male or female who bemoans, casts away and abandons” “and forsakes them” which means “and depart from and lets go of them, their sins” “shall have mercy” or “will hold, own and possess compassion, tender affection and pity”. Solomon said the person who bemoans and abandons their errors and wrongs will enjoy compassion and pity for their lives.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how we are unable to keep our “sins” secret from God, and because He knows everything, He knows we have all sinned. (See Romans 3:23) He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for the sins of everyone, and when we yield our lives to Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and teach us to expose and repent from our transgressions so we may enjoy His compassion and pity for all eternity.

Next time Solomon says, “happy is the man that fears always”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Great Glory When the Righteous Rejoice - Proverbs 28:12

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “the rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that has understanding searches him out”, and in chapter twenty-eight and verse twelve of Proverbs Solomon said, “when righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory” where we read,

When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory:

but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.

The verse begins, “When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory:” Solomon began with the words, “when righteous men” or “at the time and moment people whether male or female who are right, just, lawful and correct” “do rejoice” which means “exult and triumph”, “there is great glory” or “there exists numerous and exceedingly abounding splendor”. Solomon said at the time and moment people who are right, just and correct triumph and succeed there exists exceeding and abounding splendor.

The verse goes on to say, “but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.” Solomon continued with the words, “but when the wicked rise” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover at the time and moment people who are criminal, guilty of crime, evil and hostile to God stand up, are erected and roused”, “a man is hidden” which means “a person whether male or female exists as disguised, searched for, masked and concealed”. Solomon said at the time and moment people who are evil and hostile to God stand up or take charge, a person conceals themselves.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon at the time and moment godly people have success, other people are glad and elated, however, at the time and moment evil people take charge, others go into hiding. God wants us to have an intimate personal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus whom He sent into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we yield our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us the wisdom and righteousness to “rejoice” before authorities who are godly and to avoid evil people who rise to power.

Next time Solomon says, “he that covers his sins shall not prosper”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

The Wise in Conceit Rich Man - Proverbs 28:11

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “Whoso causes the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession”, and in chapter twenty-eight and verse eleven of Proverbs Solomon said, “the rich man is wise in his own conceit” where we read,

The rich man is wise in his own conceit;

but the poor that has understanding searches him out.

The verse begins, “The rich man is wise in his own conceit;” Solomon began with the words, “the rich man” or “the wealthy and noble person whether male or female” “is wise” which means “exists as skilled, shrewd and prudent” “in his own conceit” or “within his, the rich person's, own personal eye or mental and spiritual faculties and countenance”. Solomon said the person who is wealthy exists as shrewd and prudent within their own eyes.

The verse continues, “but the poor that has understanding searches him out.” Solomon added the words, “but the poor”or “however, notwithstanding, nonetheless and moreover the person who is in want, need, impoverished and destitute” “that has understanding” which means “who holds, owns and possesses discernment, knowledge, insight and diligence” “searches him out” or “examines and investigates the rich man wise in his own conceit”. Solomon said the impoverished person who possesses discernment sees right through the “rich” person.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how people who are wealthy and noble sometimes become “conceited” or filled with themselves, however, a person who does not have many belongings but is shrewd and prudent is able to see who they really are. God loves people, and He knows us all. He proved His love by sending His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we surrender to Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us the ability to keep from thinking too much of ourselves and the discernment to know the people who do.

Next time Solomon says, “when righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Causing the Righteous to Go Astray - Proverbs 28:10

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “He that turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination”, and in chapter twenty-eight and verse ten of Proverbs Solomon shared about, “whoso causes the righteous to go astray in an evil way” where we read,

Whoso causes the righteous to go astray in an evil way,

he shall fall himself into his own pit:

but the upright shall have good things in possession.

The verse begins, “Whoso causes the righteous to go astray in an evil way, ...” Solomon began with the words, “whoso causes the righteous” or “whatever person whether male or female who leads people who are right, just, lawful and correct” “to go astray” which means “to swerve, meander, reel and err” “in an evil way” or “within a manner that is bad, disagreeable, malignant and displeasing” will have the following happen to them. Solomon referred to the person who leads the right and just people in a malignant and displeasing manner of living.

The verse goes on to say, “... he shall fall himself into his own pit:” Solomon continued with the words, “he shall fall himself” or “he, the person who causes the righteous to go astray, will be cast down and prostrated their own self” “into his own pit” which means “into their own personal gin, snare or trap”. Solomon said the person who leads people into disagreeable and wicked ways will be cast down into their own personal trap.

Finally the verse says, “but the upright shall have good things in possession.” Solomon ended this verse by saying, “but the upright” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover people who are complete, whole, entire, sound and healthful” “shall have good things” which means “will hold, own and possess pleasant, agreeable, excellent and valuable items” “in possession” or “in allotment, inheritance and heritage”. Solomon concluded this verse by saying people who are sound and healthful will possess pleasant and agreeable things within their inheritance.

When we meditate upon Solomon's words in this verse, we discover a warning to people who lead others into nefarious behavior, and we see a blessing to people who live in an sound and healthy manner. God desires to bless us with the inheritance of His Kingdom through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put within us a desire to live in an “upright” manner that receives “good things” from Him and never yields to wicked people who desire to lead them astray.

Next time Solomon says, “the rich man is wise in his own conceit”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Turning Away Your Ear from Hearing the Law - Proverbs 28:9

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “He that by usury and unjust gain increases his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor”, and in chapter twenty-eight and verse nine of Proverbs Solomon shared about, “he that turns away his ear from hearing the law” where we read,

He that turns away his ear from hearing the law,

even his prayer shall be abomination.

The verse begins, “He that turns away his ear from hearing the law, ...” Solomon began with the words, “he that turns away his ear” or “the person whether male or female who avoids, removes and departs their physical ear for hearing and mental and spiritual faculties” “from hearing the law” which means “separate and apart from listening to, adhering and observing the direction and instruction of God”. Solomon referred to the person who removes their physical “ear” from taking heed to and observing God's direction and instruction as he declared the following.

The verse goes on to say, “... even his prayer shall be abomination.” Solomon continued with the words, “even his prayer” or “also and indeed will his, the person whether male or female's, oration, intercession and supplication which by implication is a hymn” “shall be abomination” which means “will exist as disgusting, unclean and abhorrent”. Solomon said the person who “turns away his ear from hearing the law” shall have their intercession and supplication exist as disgusting and abhorrent.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how the person who removes their physical “ear”from listening to God's instruction will have their intercession and supplication received as abhorrent and disgusting. God wants us to have an intimate personal relationship with Him, and when we submit to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and teach us to listen to His “law” so our “prayers” are pleasing and acceptable to Him.

Next time Solomon shares about, “whoso causes the righteous to go astray in an evil way”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Usury and Unjust Gain - Proverbs 28:8

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “Whoso keeps the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shames his father”, and in chapter twenty-eight and verse eight of Proverbs Solomon shared about, “usury and unjust gain” where we read,

He that by usury and unjust gain increases his substance,

he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.

The verse begins, “He that by usury and unjust gain increases his substance, ...” Solomon began with the words, “he that by usury” or “the person whether male or female who through the means of interest on a debt” “and unjust gain” which means “and multiplied percentage, increase and bonus” “increases his substance” or “makes great, numerous and enlarged his, the person's, wealth, riches and sufficiency”. Solomon referred to the person who multiplies their riches and wealth by interest and unrighteous profit shall have the following.

The verse continues, “... he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.” Solomon added the words, “he shall gather it”or “he, the person whether male or female, will assemble and collect their wealth and riches” “for him” which means “on behalf of the person” “that will pity the poor” or “who shall be gracious and show favor to people who are impoverished, in want, in need and destitute”. Solomon said the person who makes their wealth by interest and unrighteous profit will assemble their riches to be given to people who are impoverished and destitute.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how we are not to take advantage of people in business transactions because if we are unjust in our dealings, we shall assemble our riches to be distributed to people who are destitute. God owns everything, (See Psalm 24:1) and anything we obtain comes through His hands. He wants us to have a personal relationship with us through His Son Jesus, and when we yield our lives to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and teach us to deal honestly and with integrity with what belongs to Him in this world.

Next time Solomon shares about, “he that turns away his ear from hearing the law”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

A Wise Son Keeps the Law - Proverbs 28:7

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “Better is the poor that walks in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich”, and in chapter twenty-eight and verse seven of Proverbs Solomon said, “whoso keeps the law is a wise son” where we read,

Whoso keeps the law is a wise son:

but he that is a companion of riotous men shames his father.

The verse begins, “Whoso keeps the law is a wise son:” Solomon began with the words, “whoso keeps the law” or “whatever person whether male or female who watches over, guards, protects and observes the direction, instruction, custom and manner of God” “is a wise son” which means “exists as a shrewd, skilled and prudent progeny or offspring”. Solomon said the person who observes the direction and instruction of Jehovah God exists as a skilled and shrewd male offspring.

The verse goes on to say, “but he that is a companion of riotous men shames his father.” Solomon continued with the words, “but he that is a companion” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover the person whether male or female who exists as an intimate companion, neighbor or friend” “of riotous men” which means “belonging to people whether male or female who are worthless, vile, insignificant and morally loose” “shames his father” or “insults, humiliates, blushes and puts to confusion his, the person's, immediate male progenitor and ancestor”. Solomon said the person who is a friend of insignificant and morally loose people brings confusion and humiliation to their immediate male progenitor.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how the offspring of a person who observes and follows the “law of God” is considered skilled, shrewd and prudent, however, if they become friends with people who are vile and morally loose, they humiliate their parents. God wants us to follow Him through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for our sins because this will give us the best life possible. When we put our faith and trust in Jesus, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and help us to observe His “law” and keep us from people who bring humiliation by their vile and wicked deeds.

Next time Solomon shares about, “usury and unjust gain”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…