I've Done This Before

8 The one who digs a pit may fall into it, and the one who breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake. 9 The one who quarries stones may be hurt by them; the one who splits logs may be endangered by them. Ecclesiastes 10:8-9

“I've done this before.”

That can be experience speaking or the moment I stop paying attention to what I know and cannot control.

The Teacher lists ordinary tasks: digging a pit, breaking through a wall, quarrying stone, splitting logs. Familiar work. Yet the digger can fall into the pit. A snake may wait inside the wall. The stone can injure the handler.

Verse 10 reminds us that wisdom matters. Knowing what you do makes a difference. But it doesn't give control over what may happen next.

I don't like that. I want experience to guarantee no surprises.

I've done enough things enough times to feel I know what comes next. But knowing how to do something is not the same as knowing what will happen.

Experience has taught me plenty but not control.

Father, thank You for what experience has taught me. Keep familiarity from making me careless, and give me wisdom for the things I cannot anticipate. Help me trust You when I think I know what comes next, and keep me attentive when I feel most confident.