Romans 8:29–30 (ESV) — 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

O the power of a single word sometimes. And in this case, in this amazing and majestic passage – the word, “FOREKNEW.”

Believer, set your heart upon it today. Mull it over. Let the speaking of settle on your tongue like a spoonful of honey. Savor it. Let it sink afresh into your heart and mind. Sing aloud to your own heart throughout the day.

“Whom he foreknew.”

Jesus did not die a blind death.

He did not die and abstract death.

Sinner, he knew you. He knew all your faults, and all your sins, though they still lay in the future.

He knew all your circumstances, all your corruptions, all your doubts before you doubted them, and all your fears before they terrified you.

He knew all the places you would fail even after your new birth. All your ill-spoken words, polluted thoughts and transgressions. All you left undone, and all you should never have done.

He knew every temptation you would face, and every place where you would yield to it. He knew how strong the bonds of sin would be, and how vacillating your love would be.

He knew all those vows you made to walk in holiness and then promptly broke. All your obstinate refusals to properly and fully repent own your sin.

All your lies, deceits and deliberate disobedience.

He knew your self-centeredness, selfishness, prayerlessness and spiritual cowardice.

He knew how you would charge him falsely in dark providences and fail to thank and praise him for all his graces. How you would spend your gifts on the World, and think more of earthly things than heavenly.

He knew your excuses for sin, your justifications for failing to mortify the deeds of the flesh and how you blamed and raged against him in the aftermath of your own failings and foolish decisions.

He knew YOU. Thoroughly, intimately, personally and comprehensively.

And still, that is the you he predestined to be conformed to the image of himself.

It is that you he called, and justified and will glorify – so certainly that the text can put it as a present reality.

This is the one who asks you to trust him fully. For he knew you this way, before he ever came and died for you.

He knew you.

This is the you he died for.