Why do even our important achievements often seem empty?

Psalm 39:6We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it.

Psalm 127:2It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.

Ecclesiastes 1:14I observed everything going on under the sun, and really, it is all meaningless—like chasing the wind.

Ecclesiastes 2:10-23Anything I wanted, I would take. I denied myself no pleasure. I even found great pleasure in hard work, a reward for all my labors. But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless—like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere. . . . So I came to hate life because everything done here under the sun is so troubling. . . . I gave up in despair, questioning the value of all my hard work in this world. Some people work wisely with knowledge and skill, then must leave the fruit of their efforts to someone who hasn’t worked for it. This, too, is meaningless, a great tragedy. So what do people get in this life for all their hard work and anxiety? Their days of labor are filled with pain and grief; even at night their minds cannot rest. It is all meaningless.

Habakkuk 2:13Has not the Lord of Heaven’s Armies promised that the wealth of nations will turn to ashes? They work so hard, but all in vain!

James 1:11The hot sun rises and the grass withers; the little flower droops and falls, and its beauty fades away. In the same way, the rich will fade away with all of their achievements.

Our human effort can feel meaningless without knowing anything of our work’s lasting and eternal value.

Psalm 94:11The Lord knows people’s thoughts; he knows they are worthless!

Romans 1:21Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused.

1 Corinthians 3:19-20The wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. As the Scriptures say, “He traps the wise in the snare of their own cleverness.” And again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise; he knows they are worthless.”

Ephesians 4:17-18With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him.

Human knowledge, wisdom, and work will feel meaningless without an eternal perspective. If our thoughts help grow our relationship with God, and benefit other people, we will feel a sense of deep purpose and fulfillment.

Isaiah 16:6We have heard about proud Moab—about its pride and arrogance and rage. But all that boasting has disappeared.

Jeremiah 48:29-30“We have all heard of the pride of Moab, for his pride is very great. We know of his lofty pride, his arrogance, and his haughty heart. I know about his insolence,” says the Lord, “but his boasts are empty—as empty as his deeds.”

Luke 1:51-52“His mighty arm has done tremendous things! He has scattered the proud and haughty ones. He has brought down princes from their thrones and exalted the humble.”

Human desires that focus on the self, like pride, greed, and selfishness, are meaningless and lead to nothing.

Psalm 60:11Oh, please help us against our enemies, for all human help is useless.

Psalm 146:3-4Don’t put your confidence in powerful people; there is no help for you there. When they breathe their last, they return to the earth, and all their plans die with them.

Isaiah 2:22Don’t put your trust in mere humans. They are as frail as breath. What good are they?

Isaiah 30:1-5“What sorrow awaits my rebellious children,” says the Lord. “You make plans that are contrary to mine. You make alliances not directed by my Spirit, thus piling up your sins. For without consulting me, you have gone down to Egypt for help. You have put your trust in Pharaoh’s protection. You have tried to hide in his shade. But by trusting Pharaoh, you will be humiliated, and by depending on him, you will be disgraced. For though his power extends to Zoan and his officials have arrived in Hanes, all who trust in him will be ashamed. He will not help you. Instead, he will disgrace you.”

Isaiah 47:8“Listen to this, you pleasure-loving kingdom, living at ease and feeling secure. You say, ‘I am the only one, and there is no other. I will never be a widow or lose my children.’”

Jeremiah 17:5This is what the Lord says: “Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the Lord.”

Lamentations 4:17We looked in vain for our allies to come and save us, but we were looking to nations that could not help us.

It is meaningless to rely on human power rather than God’s power.