We all do it. We avoid sorrow and chase after joy—celebration, fun, and whatever makes us feel good. So why does Solomon say that sorrow is better than laughter?

Welcome to The Daily. We go through the bible verse-by-verse, chapter-by-chapter, every single day.

Our text today is the second part of Ecclesiastes 7:1-4.

A good name is better than precious ointment,
and the day of death than the day of birth.
It is better to go to the house of mourning
than to go to the house of feasting,
for this is the end of all mankind,
and the living will lay it to heart.
Sorrow is better than laughter,
for by sadness of face the heart is made glad.
The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning,
but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. — Ecclesiastes 7:1-4

Now, Solomon isn’t telling us to enjoy suffering. He’s saying we need to recognize its value. Laughter is temporary. It feels good for a moment, but sorrow? Sorrow makes us stop. It forces us to reflect. When we face hardship, loss, or even the reality of our own mortality, something shifts. We break free from the cycle of just going through the motions. We stop taking life for granted. And we start appreciating what truly matters.

The house of mourning makes us pause. The house of feasting—it can be a distraction. Fun and pleasure aren’t wrong, but if we’re not careful, they can numb us. Solomon warns that the fool stays in the house of mirth (i.e., amusement)—always chasing the next high, never stopping to ask, Where is this leading?

But the wise? They step into the house of mourning. They reflect. They take it to heart. They consider their actions, their legacy, and what life is really about. And here’s the irony—sorrow becomes a tool in God's hands to shape a deeper joy. One that’s not dependent on circumstances but rooted in wisdom and meaning.

Sorrow slows us down so wisdom can catch up.

So let me ask you—are you using entertainment, success, or busyness to avoid life’s deeper questions? Maybe it’s doomscrolling on your phone, binging another show, or staying constantly busy so you don’t have to think.

Maybe… God is calling you to pause, reflect, and grow in wisdom.

#WisdomInSorrow, #Ecclesiastes7, #SpiritualGrowth

ASK THIS:

1. How have moments of sorrow shaped your faith and priorities?
2. Are you using entertainment or busyness to avoid deep reflection?
3. What distractions keep you from facing life’s deeper questions?
4. How can you embrace wisdom through hardship rather than run from it?

DO THIS:

Take five minutes today to reflect on a recent hardship—ask God what He wants to teach you through it.

PRAY THIS:

Lord, help me to see the value in sorrow and not just chase temporary happiness. Teach me to seek wisdom in every season, even the difficult ones. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

Even When It Hurts.

What will be said about you when you're gone?

Welcome to The Daily. We go through the bible verse-by-verse, chapter-by-chapter, every single day.

Our text today is the second part of Ecclesiastes 6:12.

For who can tell man what will be after him under the sun? — Ecclesiastes 6:12

It’s a sobering thought. One day, your time on earth will end. Your name will appear in an obituary, memories will be shared, and then—life will go on without you. Your house will be lived in by someone else. Your job will be filled by another. Even those who love you most will, in time, move forward.

Solomon wrestled with this reality when he asked, “For who can tell man what will be after him under the sun?” (Ecclesiastes 6:12). No one knows what will happen after they’re gone. We spend years working, building, and striving, but what comes of it all? Will it last? Will it even matter?

The truth is, everything “under the sun” fades. Kingdoms crumble, wealth is spent, and even great names are eventually forgotten. But what’s done beyond the sun—that’s eternal. Jesus said, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth…but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:19-20). Earthly success is temporary. A life lived for Christ leaves an impact that time can’t erase.

So, how do you make your days count? You invest in what lasts. You raise your kids in the faith. You disciple younger believers. You share the gospel. You lead with integrity. You love sacrificially. These things ripple into eternity.

Your legacy isn’t in what you build but in who you point to. If your life leads others to Jesus, you’ve left something that will outlive you.

#EternalLegacy, #LiveForChrist, #FaithOverSuccess

ASK THIS:

1. What do you want to be remembered for when your life is over?
2. How are you investing in things that will last beyond your lifetime?
3. In what ways can you disciple and influence others for Christ today?
4. Are you storing up treasures in heaven, or are you focused on temporary success?

DO THIS:

Invest in what lasts—share your faith, disciple others, and leave an eternal impact.

PRAY THIS:

Lord, help me to live each day with eternity in mind, investing in what truly matters. May my life point others to You and leave an impact that lasts beyond my time on earth. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

Where The Glory Is.

The sunset is impossible to grasp. One moment, it’s glowing—golden and brilliant. The next, it’s gone, slipping beyond the horizon. No matter how much you wish it would remain, darkness quickly takes over.

Welcome to The Daily. We go through the bible verse-by-verse, chapter-by-chapter, every single day.

Our text today is Ecclesiastes 6:12.

For who knows what is good for man while he lives the few days of his vain life, which he passes like a shadow?— Ecclesiastes 6:12

That’s life.

Life isn’t just short—it’s fleeting, like a shadow moving across the ground. We chase after success, wealth, and comfort, hoping they’ll bring us meaning. But no matter how much we grab, they slip through our fingers.

Because shadows have no substance.

They look real, but they aren’t. They shift, stretch, and disappear with time. The things we think will satisfy—bigger paychecks, more recognition, the next big achievement—often leave us empty. They promise security but deliver uncertainty. They look solid but fade when the light changes.

But here’s the truth: where there’s a shadow, there’s light. And that’s what we’re meant to chase. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). Instead of running after things that vanish, we’re called to run toward Him—the only One who never fades.

So, what are you chasing? Are you grasping at shadows or reaching for the Light?

#LifeIsShort, #ChasingLight, #FaithOverFleeting

ASK THIS:

1. What shadows have you been chasing in your life?
2. How have temporary pursuits left you feeling empty?
3. What does John 8:12 reveal about where true fulfillment is found?
4. How can you intentionally pursue the Light of Christ today?

DO THIS:

Spend five minutes today reflecting on what you’re chasing—then ask God to shift your focus to what truly lasts.

PRAY THIS:

Lord, help me stop grasping at what fades and start pursuing what lasts. Draw me closer to Your light so I may walk in truth. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

Chasing Rebels.

Ever been trapped in a conversation where someone just won’t stop talking—but they’re saying absolutely nothing? It’s like watching a faucet drip endlessly, each word hitting the floor with no impact. You nod, you smile, but inside, you’re thinking, Please, just get to the point!

Welcome to The Daily. We go through the bible verse-by-verse, chapter-by-chapter, every single day.

Our text today is Ecclesiastes 6:11.

The more words, the more vanity, and what is the advantage to man? — Ecclesiastes 6:11

We are drowning in words. Social media feeds never stop scrolling. News cycles churn 24/7. Everyone has an opinion, and everyone is desperate to be heard. But in all this noise, how much actually matters? How much of it is just filler—empty words with no weight?

Solomon saw this coming long before the digital age. “The more words, the more vanity, and what is the advantage to man?” (Ecclesiastes 6:11). He warns that words without wisdom are just wasted breath. Jesus took it even further—He said we’ll be held accountable for every idle word we speak (Matthew 12:36). That should stop us in our tracks. Are our words building up or just adding to the static? Are we speaking truth or just filling space?

Today, before you speak, pause. Ask yourself: Does this need to be said? Will this help, or will it just add to the clutter? Let your words be few—but let them be full of wisdom.

#SpeakWisely, #BibleWisdom, #Ecclesiastes611

ASK THIS:

1. How often do I speak without considering the impact of my words?
2. What practical steps can I take to ensure my words are wise and meaningful?
3. How does social media contribute to a culture of empty words in my life?
4. In what ways can I use my words to build up rather than add to the noise?

DO THIS:

Before you speak today, pause and ask: Does this add value or just add to the noise?

PRAY THIS:

Lord, help me to be mindful of my words, speaking with wisdom and purpose rather than filling the air with meaningless chatter. Teach me to pause, reflect, and use my voice to honor You and uplift others. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

Let My Words Be Few.

Tell a child not to touch something, and what’s the first thing they want to do? Touch it. We’re not so different. From the beginning, humanity has resisted limits, pushing against the One who set them. But what if those limits weren’t restrictions—but protection?

Welcome to The Daily. We go through the bible verse-by-verse, chapter-by-chapter, every single day.

Our text today is Ecclesiastes 6:10.

Whatever has come to be has already been named, and it is known what man is, and that he is not able to dispute with one stronger than he. — Ecclesiastes 6:10

We don’t like limits. From childhood, we push against boundaries—testing rules, challenging authority, trying to take control. It’s human nature. We want life on our terms, our timeline, our way. But Ecclesiastes reminds us of something we don’t often consider—our limits are God’s protection.

From the very beginning, our identity was set. The name ādām—meaning “earth” or “dust”—reminds us we are created beings, not the Creator. We weren’t designed to dictate the course of history but to trust the One who does. Like dust in the wind, we can fight the current, but in the end, we don’t decide where we land. No matter how much we resist, we cannot contend with God and win.

But here’s the good news: We don’t have to. Surrender to the Sovereign. His limits are not meant to stifle us but to safeguard us. Every boundary He sets is an act of love. He sees what we cannot, knows what we don’t, and shields us from dangers we’d run straight into if left to ourselves.

The battle for control is exhausting. Worry, stress, and frustration pile up when we try to play God. But when we lay it all down at His feet, we find rest. Surrender isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom. It’s knowing that the One who shaped the universe can handle our lives far better than we ever could.

So today, let go. Open your hands, release your grip, and trust the One who holds all things together. The limits He sets aren’t meant to hold you back—they’re meant to keep you safe.

#TrustGod, #SurrenderToGod, #DailyBible

ASK THIS:

1. Why do we instinctively resist limits, even when they are for our good?
2. How does recognizing our limitations bring peace instead of frustration?
3. What’s one area of your life where you need to trust God’s control more?
4. How can surrendering to God’s will help you experience greater freedom?

DO THIS:

Let go of one thing today that you’ve been trying to control, and entrust it fully to God in prayer.

PRAY THIS:

Father, I confess my tendency to fight against Your boundaries. Help me to trust Your wisdom, surrender my need for control, and rest in Your perfect plan. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

Trust In God.

We fight to extend our lives—better health, more wealth, more years. But what if a longer life without joy is actually worse?

Welcome to The Daily. We go through the bible verse-by-verse, chapter-by-chapter, every single day.

Our text today is Ecclesiastes 6:3-6.

If a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul is not satisfied with life's good things, and he also has no burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he. For it comes in vanity and goes in darkness, and in darkness its name is covered. Moreover, it has not seen the sun or known anything, yet it finds rest rather than he. Even though he should live a thousand years twice over, yet enjoy no good—do not all go to the one place? — Ecclesiastes 6:3-6

We often believe that more time, more success, and more family will bring us fulfillment. Solomon shatters that illusion. He paints a sobering picture: a man with everything—countless children, a long life—yet no satisfaction.

And then, he makes a shocking comparison. He says a stillborn child is better off. Why? Because that child never experiences the emptiness of a life filled with years but void of joy.

This is a brutal but necessary wake-up call. Life is not measured by how long we live or what we accumulate—it’s measured by whether we truly enjoy the good God gives us. You could have everything the world offers, yet if your soul is restless and unsatisfied, what’s the point?

First, seek joy in God, not in things. If possessions or experiences could satisfy, Solomon—who had everything—wouldn’t call life “vanity.” True joy is found in God alone.

Second, stop postponing joy. Don’t wait for some future achievement to bring contentment. Joy is found today, in the presence of Christ.

#TrueJoy, #EcclesiastesWisdom, #FindingSatisfaction

ASK THIS:

1. What worldly things do you tend to seek satisfaction in, and why do they fall short?
2. How does Solomon’s comparison to a stillborn child challenge your view of success?
3. What are small ways you can embrace joy in Christ today instead of postponing it?
4. How can you remind yourself daily that joy is found in God alone?

DO THIS:

Ask yourself: Am I seeking joy in God or in things? Shift your focus to Him in prayer and gratitude.

PRAY THIS:

Lord, help me to find my satisfaction in You, not in the things of this world. Teach me to embrace the joy You offer today. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

Stand In Your Love.