The Word for Today with Ray: September 2026

Sunday, September 20, 2026

Delivered from the Noise of the Archers - Judges 5:11

In the book of Judges we learned, “Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying, praise you the LORD for the avenging of Israel, … Bless you the LORD. Speak, you that ride on white asses, you that sit in judgment, and walk by the way”, and in chapter five and verse eleven of Judges, we learn how Deborah and Barak sung about, “they that are delivered from the noise of archers” where we read,

They that are delivered from the noise of archers in the places of drawing water, there shall they rehearse the righteous acts of the LORD, even the righteous acts toward the inhabitants of his villages in Israel: then shall the people of the LORD go down to the gates.

The verse reads, “They that are delivered from the noise of archers in the places of drawing water, …” The writer began with the words, “they that are delivered” which means “the people who are rescued and saved” “from the noise of archers” or “separate and apart from the sound, bleating and crackling cry belonging to those who divide, cut off and sever with arrows ” “in the places of drawing water” which means “within the locations pertaining to the troughs or water drinking”. The writer shared how people who are rescued from those who shoot arrows to divide in the locations for drinking water shall be as follows.

The verse continues, “… there shall they rehearse the righteous acts of the LORD, even the righteous acts toward the inhabitants of his villages in Israel:” The writer added the words, “there shall they rehearse the righteous acts” which means “in that location the people shall recount, commemorate and tell again the justice, vindication, justification and salvation” “of the LORD” or “belonging to Jehovah who is the existing One and is the proper name for the One True God”, “even the righteous acts” which means “also and indeed the just, truthful and morally right works and deeds” “towards the inhabitants” or “to the people who dwell, live and abide” “of his villages in Israel” which means “pertaining to his, Jehovah God’s, towns and rural people within Israel whose name means ‘God prevails’ and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”. The writer shared how Deborah and Barak sung about the people who would recount and commemorate the right and just deeds Jehovah God performed toward the people who lived within the towns of “Israel”.

Finally the verse reads, “then shall the people of the LORD go down to the gates.” The writer concluded this verse with the words, “then shall the people” which means “at that time will the human beings” “of the LORD” or “belonging to Jehovah who is the existing One” “go down to the gates” which means “descend, march and sink down toward the city openings, ports, doors or entrances”. The writer ended this verse by sharing how “Deborah and Barak” said the result of sharing the “righteous acts” of Jehovah God would be that they would descend to the entrances of their places to live.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how “Deborah and Barak” used their singing voices to share about the people of Israel being rescued and saved from their foes’ bows and arrows which were employed in the locations where they would obtain “water”, and because of this, they would commemorate and recount Jehovah God’s right and just works and deeds toward the people who lived in the towns of “Israel”. This would allow the people to have free access to the entrances of their dwelling places. In other words, the people would feel safe and secure to live and go about their daily tasks. God desires to free all of us from the power of sin and death, and this was the reason He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and to be raised 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 provide His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth and give us the ability to discern and celebrate the times He has acted on our behalf. (See John 3:16; Psalm 150:2)

Next time we learn how Deborah and Barak sing, “awake, awake, Deborah: awake, awake, utter a song”, 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".

Speak, You that Ride - Judges 5:10

In the book of Judges we learned, “Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying, praise you the LORD for the avenging of Israel, … in the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied, and the travelers walked through byways. The inhabitants of the villages ceased, they ceased in Israel, until that I Deborah arose, that I arose a mother in Israel. They chose new gods; then was war in the gates: was there a shield or spear seen among forty thousand in Israel? My heart is toward the governors of Israel, that offered themselves willingly among the people. Bless you the LORD”, and in chapter five and verse ten of Judges, we learn how Deborah and Barak sung, “speak, you that ride on white asses” where we read,

Speak, you that ride on white asses, you that sit in judgment, and walk by the way.

The verse reads, “Speak, you that ride on white asses, …” The writer began with the word, “speak” which means “put forth, mediate, commune, ponder and sing”, “you that ride on white asses” or “you people who mount and sit upon tawny or white she-asses or donkeys”. The writer shared how “Deborah and Barak” included in their song the directive for the people who mounted white she-donkeys to put forth and commune.

The verse continues, “… you that sit in judgment, and walk by the way.” The writer added the words, “you that sit in judgment” which means “you people who are seated and settled down in measure, vesture, armor, garments and raiment”, “and walk by the way” or “and amble and proceed through and according to the road, journey and path”. The writer shared how “Deborah and Barak” directed their words toward the people who were seated in fine measured garments and proceeded according to the journey or road.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how “Deborah and Barak” addressed the people who were mounted upon fine donkeys in fancy saddle blankets and who proceeded according to the traveled road. We can imagine the site of this as these regal looking men were riding in the pathways of Israel after the defeat of “Jabin” by “Barak” and “Deborah”. God delivered the people of Israel, and He will deliver us as well from the power of sin and death when we surrender 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. 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 help us to celebrate like those who mount white she-donkeys and ride on fine garments in the pathways while rejoicing in His victory. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Psalm 16:11)

Next time we learn how Deborah and Barak sing about, “they that are delivered from the noise of archers”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

My Heart is Toward the Governors - Judges 5:9

In the book of Judges we learned, “Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying, praise you the LORD for the avenging of Israel, … in the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied, and the travelers walked through byways. The inhabitants of the villages ceased, they ceased in Israel, until that I Deborah arose, that I arose a mother in Israel. They chose new gods; then was war in the gates: was there a shield or spear seen among forty thousand in Israel?”, and in chapter five and verse nine of Judges, we learn how Deborah and Barak sing, “my heart is toward the governors of Israel” where we read,

My heart is toward the governors of Israel,

that offered themselves willingly among the people. Bless you the LORD.

The verse reads, “My heart is toward the governors of Israel,” The writer began with the words, “my heart” which means “my, Deborah’s, mind, soul and will” “is toward the governors” or “exists in the direction of the lawgivers” “of Israel” which means “belonging to Israel whose name means ‘God prevails’ and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”. The writer shared how “Deborah and Barak” used their voices to sing about their soul and mind being “toward” the lawgivers within “Israel”.

The verse goes on to say, “that offered themselves willingly among the people. Bless you the LORD.” The writer continued with the words, “that offered themselves willingly” which means “who incited, impelled and volunteered their own selves readily and of their own free will” “among the people” or “in the midst and middle of the human beings of Israel”. “Bless you the LORD” which means “praise, adore and kneel in the presence of Jehovah who is the existing One and is the proper name of the One True God”. The writer shared how the lawgivers gave of their own selves in the midst of the human beings of Israel, and he continued with a directive to give adoration and praise to Jehovah God.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we see how the soul and mind of “Deborah” was directed to the lawgivers “of Israel” who gave of themselves in a free manner in the midst of the people of Israel. These men were to give adoration and praise to Jehovah God, and those who are wise will follow their instruction. God wants us to relate to 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 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 remind us to “offer up ourselves willingly” to Jehovah God and give Him adoration all the days of our lives. (See John 3:16; Psalm 34:1)

Next time we learn how Deborah and Barak sing, “speak, you that ride on white asses”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

They Chose New Gods - Judges 5:8

They chose new gods; then was war in the gates:

was there a shield or spear seen among forty thousand in Israel?

The verse reads, “They chose new gods; then was war in the gates:” The writer began with the words, “they chose new gods” which means “they, the people of Israel, elected and selected fresh deities”: “then was war in the gates” or “at that time there existed battle and fighting within the doors, entryways and entrances of the city”. The writer shared how “Deborah” referred to the way the people of Israel selected fresh deities after abandoning their relationship with Jehovah God.

The verse continues, “was there a shield or spear seen among forty thousand in Israel?” The writer added the words, “was there a shield” which means “did there existed a buckler or armed defense” “or spear” or “or sharpened lance or javelin” “seen among forty thousand in Israel” which means “inspected, perceived and considered in the midst of forty thousand people of Israel whose name means ‘God prevails’ and is the name of the the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”? The writer shared how “Deborah and Barak” asked whether there existed a sharpened lance or javelin in the midst of “forty thousand” people within “Israel”.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we discover the fault of Israel when they forsook Jehovah God and selected other deities instead. This caused fighting and battle to be in their midst, and there was not a sharpened lance observed in the middle of “forty thousand” people of “Israel”. Jehovah God wants an intimate, personal and exclusive relationship with every person through His Son Jesus who was crucified on the cross for the sins of everyone and was resurrected 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 to guide us into all truth and keep us in alignment with Him so we never desire fresh deities. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Isaiah 26:3)

Next time we learn how Deborah and Barak sing, “my heart is toward the governors of Israel”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Inhabitants of Villages Ceasing - Judges 5:7

The inhabitants of the villages ceased, they ceased in Israel,

until that I Deborah arose, that I arose a mother in Israel.

The verse reads, “The inhabitants of the villages ceased, they ceased in Israel, …” The writer began with the words, “the inhabitants” which means “the people who lived, abode and dwelled” “of the villages ceased” or “pertaining to the towns desisted, were left undone and forbore”, “they ceased in Israel” which means “they, the inhabitants of the villages, desisted and forbore within Israel whose name means ‘God prevails’ and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”. The writer shared how “Deborah and Barak” sung about how the people who dwelt in towns in “Israel” desisted and were left undone.

The verse goes on to say, “… until that I Deborah arose, that I arose a mother in Israel.” The writer continued with the words, “until that I Deborah arose” which means “till such time that I Deborah whose name means ‘bee’ got up, came on the scene and was established”, “that I arose a mother” or “that I, Deborah, got up, was established and came on the scene and a female ancestor and progenitor” “in Israel” which means “within Israel whose name means ‘God prevails’”. The writer shared how the people who lived within the towns of “Israel” were left undone till such time that “Deborah” was established as a female progenitor within “Israel”.

When we consider the words in this verse, we discover how “Deborah” included herself within her song of praise to Jehovah God. She noted how the people within the towns forbore and were left undone till such time that “Deborah” was established as a female progenitor in “Israel”. God chose “Deborah” to lead the people of “Israel” in the conquest over “Jabin”, and because He is no respecter of persons, He gave His Only Begotten Son Jesus to die on the cross for the sins of everyone. He raised Him from the dead after three days, and when we yield to Him as our personal “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 to let us know when He has established us for a particular mission in this world. (See John 3:16; Matthew 28:19-20)

Next time we learn how Deborah and Barak sing, “they chose new gods”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Saturday, September 19, 2026

In the Days of Shamgar - Judges 5:6

In the book of Judges we learned, “Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying, praise you the LORD for the avenging of Israel, when the people willingly offered themselves. Hear, O you kings; give ear, O you princes; I, even I, will sing unto the LORD;I will sing praise to the LORD God of Israel. LORD, when you went out of Seir, when you marched out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, and the heavens dropped, the clouds also dropped water. The mountains melted from before the LORD, even that Sinai from before the LORD God of Israel”, and in chapter five and verse six of Judges, we learn how Deborah and Barak used their voices to sing, “in the days of Shamgar the son of Anath” where we read,

In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael,

the highways were unoccupied, and the travelers walked through byways.

The verse reads, “In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, …” The writer began with the words, “in the days of Shamgar” which means “in the time period or season belonging to Shamgar whose name means ‘sword’ and was a judge of Israel; with an ox-goad he slew 600 Philistines and delivered Israel” “the son of Anath” or “the male offspring belonging to Anath whose name means ‘answer’” “in the days of Jael” which means “in the time period or season belonging to Jael whose name means ‘mountain goat’ and was the wife of Heber the Kenite who killed the general Sisera as he slept by driving a peg through his temples into the ground”. The writer referred to the time periods of “Shamgar who was Anath’s son and Jael”.

The verse continues, “… the highways were unoccupied, and the travelers walked through byways.” The writer added the words, “the highways were unoccupied” which means “the path, road and wayfarers ceased, desisted and ended”, “and the travelers” or “and the ones who walked, departed and proceeded” “walked through byways” which means “ambled and made their way by winding a crooked paths”. The writer shared how the paths and roads ended and people ambled along the crooked paths.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn in the time periods belonging to “Shamgar and Jael”, the broad traveling roads were empty and people traveled by means of the crooked paths because of the oppression of “Jabin”. Let us be mindful that “Deborah and Barak” were singing their song, and this was a recounting of the way it was before they delivered Israel. God loves the people of “Israel”, and He loves us. He knows the conditions we live in, and He is well aware of our eternal separation from Him unless we receive 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 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 guide us into all truth and to give us the ability to understand that He knows our circumstances and is working on our behalf. (See John 3:16; Matthew 6:6, 18)

Next time we learn how Deborah and Barak sing, “the inhabitants of the villages ceased”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

The Mountains Melt Before the LORD - Judges 5:5

In the book of Judges we learned, “Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying, praise you the LORD for the avenging of Israel, when the people willingly offered themselves. Hear, O you kings; give ear, O you princes; I, even I, will sing unto the LORD;I will sing praise to the LORD God of Israel. LORD, when you went out of Seir, when you marched out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, and the heavens dropped, the clouds also dropped water”, and in chapter five and verse five of Judges, we learn how Deborah and Barak sung, “the mountains melted from before the LORD” where we read,

The mountains melted from before the LORD,

even that Sinai from before the LORD God of Israel.

The verse reads, “The mountains melted from before the LORD, …” The writer began with the words, “the mountains” which means “the hill country and risings above the plain” “melted from before the LORD” or “distill, flow forth and drop in front and within the presence of Jehovah who is the existing One and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”. The writer shared how the risings above the plain distilled and flowed forth in the presence of Jehovah God.

The verse goes on to say, “… even that Sinai from before the LORD God of Israel.” The writer continued with the words, “even that Sinai” which means “indeed and also that Sinai whose name means ‘thorny’ and was the mountain where Moses received the Law from Jehovah; located at the southern end of the Sinai peninsula between the horns of the Red Sea; exact site unknown” “from before the LORD God” or “in front and within the presence of Jehovah who is the existing One and is the proper name for the One True God, the Supreme Deity” “of Israel” which means “belonging to Israel whose name means ‘God prevails’ and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”. The writer shared how “Deborah and Barak” referred to “Mount Sinai” as being the “mountain” being “melted” in the presence of Jehovah God the Supreme Deity of “Israel”.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how “Deborah and Barak” included the “melting” of the risings above the plain including “Sinai” that “melted” in the presence of Jehovah God of “Israel”. God is the Creator of the heavens and earth, and mountains melting before Him are not difficult at all. When He decided to move on behalf of His people, no one and nothing was able to stop Him. He also desires a personal relationship with everyone 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 submit 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 to help us recognize how powerful and awesome He is in the presence of all the earth. (See John 3:16; Psalms 24:1)

Next time learn how Deborah and Barak sing, “in the days of Shamgar the son of Anath”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

When the LORD Went To Seir - Judges 5:4

LORD, when you went out of Seir, when you marched out of the field of Edom,

the earth trembled, and the heavens dropped, the clouds also dropped water.

The verse reads, “LORD, when you went out of Seir, when you marched out of the field of Edom, …” The writer began with the word, “LORD” which means “Jehovah who is the existing One and is the proper name of the One True God”; “when you went out of Seir” or “at the time and moment you, Jehovah God, left and departed from Seir whose name means ‘hairy or shaggy’ and was a mountain range in Edom extending from the Dead Sea to the Elanitic Gulf”; “when you marched” which means “at the time and moment you, Jehovah God, stepped and made a stride” “out of the field of Edom” or “from the land, country and cultivated ground belonging to Edom whose name means ‘red’ and was the land south and southeast of Palestine”. The writer shared how “Deborah and Barak” referred to the time Jehovah God departed from Mount “Seir” and took strides from the cultivated ground belonging to “Edom”.

The verse continues, “… the earth trembled, and the heavens dropped, the clouds also dropped water.” The writer added the words, “the earth trembled” which means “the land, country, territory and region quaked and undulated”, “and the heavens dropped” or “and the visible sky, abode of the stars, universe and atmosphere dripped, and distilled gradually”, “the clouds also dropped water” which means “the thickness, darkness and cloudy mass even so and indeed dripped water”. The writer said the “earth, heavens and clouds” put forth distilled water when Jehovah God departed from “Seir” and “marched” from the cultivated ground of “Edom”.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how “Deborah and Barak” sang about the movement of the earth and skies at the time God was on the move. God was behind the victory that Israel had over over “Jabin”, and nothing would stop Him when He decided to act. God will do the same for us when we yield to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the grave after three days. At the time and moment we put our faith 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 to guide us into all truth and teach us the value of knowing the power He exercises on behalf of His people. (See John 3:16; Revelation 6:2)

Next time learn how Deborah and Barak sing, “the mountains melted from before the LORD”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Hear, O You Kings - Judges 5:3

In the book of Judges we learned, “Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying, praise you the LORD for the avenging of Israel, when the people willingly offered themselves”, and in chapter five and verse three of Judges, we learn how Deborah and Barak sung, “Hear, O you kings; give ear, O you princes” where we read,

Hear, O you kings; give ear, O you princes; I, even I, will sing unto the LORD;

I will sing praise to the LORD God of Israel.

The verse reads, “Hear, O you kings; give ear, O you princes; I, even I, will sing unto the LORD;” The writer began with the words, “hear, O you kings” which means “listen and pay attention, O you royal rulers and leaders”; “give ear, O you princes” or “hearken and listen, O you weighty, judicious, commanding and honorable rulers”; “I, even, I will sing” which means “I, Deborah and Barak, shall make music with my voice” “unto the LORD” or “to Jehovah who is the existing One and is the proper name for the One True God”. The writer shared how Deborah and Barak called out for the royal rulers and honorable leaders to listen to and hearken unto them because they were making music with their voices to Jehovah God.

The verse goes on to say, “I will sing praise to the LORD God of Israel.” The writer continued with the words, “I will sing praise” which means “I, Deborah and Barak, shall bless, adore, salute and kneel by making music with my voice” “to the LORD God” or “to Jehovah who is the existing One and is the proper name of the One True God” “of Israel” which means “belonging to Israel whose name means ‘God prevails’ and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”. The writer shared how “Deborah and Barak” purposed to give honor and blessings to Jehovah who is the Supreme Deity belonging to “Israel”.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how important this portion of the “song” was for “Deborah and Barak”. They called upon royal rulers and leaders to listen to their “song” which was directed to Jehovah God. God loves the people of Israel, and He loves us as well. When He sent His Son Jesus into the world to be crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind and to be raised from the dead after three days, He made the way through faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”. When we submit to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit to help us “sing” of His victory over sin, death and our hating foes. (See John 3;16; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:37

Next time learn how Deborah and Barak sing, “LORD, when you went out of Seir”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Praise You the Lord for Avenging - Judges 5:2

In the book of Judges we learned, “Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying, …”, and in chapter five and verse two of Judges, we learn how Deborah and Barak sung, “Praise you the LORD for the avenging of Israel”” where we read,

Praise you the LORD for the avenging of Israel, when the people willingly offered themselves.

The verse reads, “Praise you the LORD for the avenging of Israel, …” The writer began with the words, “praise you the LORD” which means “bless, adore, salute and kneel you, people of Israel hearing this song, Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God” “for the avenging of Israel” or “because, since and on account of the exposing, dismissing and perishing pertaining to Israel whose name means ‘God prevails’ and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”. The writer shared how “Deborah and Barak” challenged the people of Israel in song to bless and adore Jehovah God because He absolved them and set them free.

The verse continues, “… when the people willingly offered themselves.” The writer added the words, “when the people” which means “at the time and moment the human beings” “willingly offered themselves” or “voluntarily incited, impelled and freely gave their own selves”. The writer referred to the time and moment the human beings of “Israel” voluntarily gave “themselves”.

When we think through the words in this verse, we see how “Deborah and Barak” encouraged the people of Israel to bless and adore Jehovah God because He set them free at the time and moment their “people” voluntarily gave their own selves. God was with the people of Israel, and when they gave themselves to His ways, He “avenged” them. God continually seeks for people to be in a personal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus who came into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and to be raised 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 to guide us into all truth and teach us the value of aligning with Him wherever He leads in His Kingdom. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Ruth 1:16)

Next time learn how Deborah and Barak sing, “Hear, O you kings; give ear, O you princes”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…