Isaiah 48:8

It is painful to remember that, to a certain degree, this accusation may be attributed to believers, who too often are somewhat spiritually insensible. We may well lament that we do not hear the voice of God as we should; Indeed, you did not hear. There are gentle motions of the Holy Spirit in the soul that we ignore. There are whisperings of divine command and of heavenly love that are similarly unobserved by our dull minds.

Alas! We have been carelessly ignorant—Indeed, you did not know. There are matters within that we should have seen: corruptions that have progressed unnoticed; sweet affections that are being blighted like flowers in the frost, neglected by us; glimpses of the divine face that might be perceived if we did not wall up the windows of our soul.

But we “have not known.” As we think of it, we are humbled in the deepest self-abasement. How we must adore the grace of God when we learn from the context that all this folly and ignorance on our part was foreknown by God, and, despite that foreknowledge, He has still been pleased to deal with us mercifully!

Admire the marvelous sovereign grace that could have chosen us knowing all this! Wonder at the price that was paid for us when Christ knew what we would become! He who hung on the cross foresaw us as unbelieving, backsliding, cold of heart, indifferent, careless, lax in prayer, and yet He said, I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior...

Since you were precious in My sight, you have been honorable, and I have loved you; therefore I will give men for you, and people for your life! O redemption, how wonderfully radiant you shine when we think how black we are! O Holy Spirit, give us from now on the hearing ear, the understanding heart!