Why Trying to “Figure It Out” Will Leave You Empty | Ecclesiastes 7:23-29

Ever felt like if you just searched hard enough, you’d finally figure life out? Solomon thought so too. But the more he chased wisdom, the more it slipped through his fingers.

Welcome to The Daily, where we go through the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every single day.

Today, we’re looking at Ecclesiastes 7:23-29:

All this I have tested by wisdom. I said, “I will be wise,” but it was far from me. That which has been is far off, and deep, very deep; who can find it out?

I turned my heart to know and to search out and to seek wisdom and the scheme of things, and to know the wickedness of folly and the foolishness that is madness. And I find something more bitter than death: the woman whose heart is snares and nets, and whose hands are fetters. He who pleases God escapes her, but the sinner is taken by her. Behold, this is what I found, says the Preacher, while adding one thing to another to find the scheme of things— which my soul has sought repeatedly, but I have not found. One man among a thousand I found, but a woman among all these I have not found. See, this alone I found, that God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes. — Ecclesiastes 7:23-29

So, the wisest man to ever live admits that true wisdom is beyond his reach. He searched for understanding, analyzed life’s patterns, and tried to make sense of human behavior—but what he discovered was unsettling. Wisdom remained distant, and the world was full of traps.

One of his most striking observations is about the dangers of falling into deception. He warns of people who ensnare others in foolishness, leading them away from God. This isn’t about condemning women—it’s about identifying the reality that our hearts are easily led astray.

At the core of it all, Solomon reaches one sobering conclusion: God made us to walk in truth, but we keep chasing our own schemes. Instead of trusting Him, we try to manipulate, control, and rationalize our way through life. And in doing so, we drift further from the wisdom we so desperately need.

This text is a reality check. No amount of intelligence, strategy, or effort can unlock the mysteries of life apart from God. Instead of chasing endless plans to "figure it all out," we need to start by trusting the One who created it all.

Here's your challenge: Stop scheming—start surrendering. God’s wisdom isn’t found in tactics but in trust.

If this resonated with you, drop a comment below and let me know how you’re learning to trust God’s wisdom in your own life. And if you found this helpful, share it with someone who needs to hear it today.

I’ll see you tomorrow as we continue in God’s Word.

#WisdomFromGod, #TrustOverSchemes, #Ecclesiastes7

ASK THIS:
Where in your life do you try to "figure it out" instead of trusting God?
What schemes have you pursued that led you away from God’s wisdom?
How does this passage challenge your view of wisdom and control?
What is one step you can take today to trust God's wisdom more?
DO THIS:
Surrender one area of your life where you've been overanalyzing and trust God instead.

PRAY THIS:
Lord, I admit that I often chase my own plans instead of trusting Yours. Help me surrender my schemes and walk in Your wisdom. Amen.

PLAY THIS:
I Trust Jesus.