There are some incredible things I've experienced in my life thus far. For example, I watched my friend hit a hole-in-one one afternoon and then hit one myself on the very next shot (in spite of the fact that it was on a practice green from only 100 yards out, it was still amazing!). I learned how to bowl from a friend who rolled a perfect 300 once (I have never exceeded a score of 257, however). I have had the privilege of touring my home town from about 500 feet above the ground in an ultra-light plane owned by a friend (something few have done or would want to do in such a contraption). I was blessed to witness the birth of my two sons and welcome them into the world. I have been afforded the opportunity to join couples in holy matrimony and also immerse souls into Christ for the forgiveness of their sins. There are certainly other wonderful experiences that could be mentioned, but let me shift gears.
In spite of the things I've been blessed to experience, there are many more things that I'm ignorant of and will probably never experience. And that is the basis for this lesson. King David mentioned one thing that he had never experienced in Psalm 37:25 - "I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread." Let me challenge your thinking by sharing some similar observations regarding things I have never known.
- I have never known a farmer who became poverty stricken because he refused to plow on Sunday but chose to go to worship.
- I have never known a farmer who failed in life because he quit working in the fields early to attend Wednesday evening Bible class.
- I have never known a business man who ever lost his business because he closed on Sunday.
- I have never known anyone who was too tired to go to worship on Sunday and was also too tired to go to work on Monday.
- I have never known a Christian to be spiritually strengthened by engaging in recreation when he should have been worshiping God with other Christians.
- I have never known anyone made better by staying away from the assembly because they do not like someone who is there.
- I have never known a strong Christian who neglected the assemblies of the church.
Can you think of any counterexamples to the above points? This world is an incredible place with much to enjoy and experience (within the framework of God's will, of course). But, may we never forget that the Lord takes care of those who love Him and serve Him faithfully! David understood this truth, and we must not allow the appeal of the world and its lusts to blind us from this fact. Jesus promises to provide us with our needs if we will seek righteousness and His church first (Matt. 6:33). Athletic achievements won't matter on Judgment Day and neither will the size of one's bank account or home. Fidelity to the Lord is the only thing that will matter then!
I have never known the Lord to forsake His own, but I have--tragically--known some of His children who forsook Him! Psalm 37:28 - "The LORD loves justice, and does not forsake His saints; they are preserved forever..." Additionally, consider Hebrews 13:5 - "I will never leave you nor forsake you."