It hurts to admit that this accusation lands at our door too. We believers are far too often spiritually numb. We have to face the truth: we do not hear God's voice as we should. "You did not hear."

The Holy Spirit moves gently in our souls, and we miss it. Divine whispers, heavenly love speaking softly, and our dull minds register nothing. We have been carelessly ignorant. "You did not know." There are corruptions growing unchecked inside us. Sweet affections dying like flowers caught in frost while we pay no attention. Glimpses of God's face that we could have seen if we hadn't bricked up the windows of our souls. But we have not known.

When we think about this, we are crushed to the ground in shame.

And then comes the overwhelming truth from this very passage: God knew all of this ahead of time. He saw our deafness, our blindness, our stupidity. And knowing it all, he still chose to pour out mercy on us. Marvel at the sovereign grace that chose you while seeing all of this! Stand in wonder at the price Christ paid when he knew exactly what you would be!

The One who hung on the cross looked ahead and saw us—faithless, backsliding, cold-hearted, indifferent, careless, slack in prayer. And still he declared: "I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior... Since you were precious in my sight, you have been honored, and I have loved you. Therefore I will give others for you, and peoples in exchange for your life!"

O redemption! How wondrously brilliant you shine against the darkness of what we are! Holy Spirit, give us ears that hear and hearts that understand!