When everything gets tiring, and yet we keep searching

VAPA Podcast
Nov 11, 2025
2 min read

Day 2: Ecclesiastes 1:8-18

We've all reached that point where nothing surprises, nothing fulfills, nothing really seems "new".Solomon (the author of this book) describes it better than any of us could:

The eye is never satisfied with seeing, nor the ear with hearing… (v. 8)

There is a weariness that comes not from the body, but from the soul.

1. The exhaustion of living alone "under the sun" (vv. 8–11)

The Preacher observes everyday life and says something brutally honest:

We see more… and we want more.
We listened more… and we remain uneasy.
We do more… and the feeling of emptiness returns.

Then he finishes with the famous and well-known phrase:

There is nothing new under the sun. ( v. 9)

Theologically, he is talking about the human condition in a fallen world .Creation is beautiful, but limited.Experiences are exciting, but they don't transform.Achievements are impressive, but they don't cure.

Frustration comes when we expect something earthly to do the work that only God can do.

2. The wisdom that does not reach (vv. 12–15)

The Writer tries another path:If I can't fill myself with new things... maybe knowledge will fill me.

Then he dedicates himself to observing, studying, and understanding everything.But the result is not peace… but more burden.

The greater the wisdom, the greater the grief; and he who accumulates knowledge accumulates sorrow. (v. 18)

From a biblical theological perspective, this makes sense:

The human mind is limited (Job 28).
We cannot straighten what is crooked (v. 15) because the world is broken by sin (Romans 8:20).
Knowing more doesn't solve more problems and often only reveals how much we need God.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom... Proverbs 9:10

3. The pain that reveals dependence (vv. 16–18)

The writer confesses that he became "wiser than everyone," but instead of feeling fulfilled... he felt more burdened.

Because?Because true wisdom begins where self-sufficiency ends. (Read Proverbs 9:10)

The theology of this passage is simple and powerful:

Human wisdom has limits.
Divine revelation no.
The mind informs… but it is God who transforms.

And here the door opens to understanding the entire book:Ecclesiastes doesn't want you sad; he wants you to awaken . A life that doesn't flow from human effort, but from God.

A question for today

Before continuing, ask yourself:

Am I trying to understand my life more than I'm giving it away?

Sometimes exhaustion comes from trying to solve what only God can sustain.

Prayer

Lord, when my eyes grow weary of seeing and my ears grow weary of hearing, take me to You.When my mind wants to solve everything, remind me that You are the only one who straightens what is crooked.Grant me wisdom, but also rest. May my heart find in You what the world cannot give. Amen.