Deuteronomy 7:6-9 - by Don Neuendorf
"God did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath he swore..."
"God loves America." We hear phrases like that a lot, and it's hard to argue very forcefully against them. After all, look around at the astonishing blessings he has given this country. The natural beauty, the expanse, the bountiful resources, the fertile fields, the persistence of freedom, the economic prosperity. It's remarkable - and so we remark on it.
But does God love Sudan?...
It is Moses who is writing in Deuteronomy that God has loved and chosen Israel. And he's writing it while they are traveling through the wilderness for 40 years, having just left generations of slavery in Egypt. How can they see that God loves them? Well, he gave them manna and quail - not steak and Texas toast. He gave them safety in their tents - but not walled cities.
God loves America. Look at the things we have. But God loves Sudan. Just see how he has preserved the struggling Christians there. And God loves China. Look how he has caused his Church there to grow in the face of persecution. And God loves Cuba. After decades of tyrannical rule, the Word of God is still proclaimed there.
God's love for Israel did not prevent him from punishing that nation for it's sins. And even during their defeat, exile, and slavery his mercy was shown.
God's love for America and Sudan and China and Cuba will not keep him from doing what he must do to punish evil. But we, if we are looking, will be able to see his love.