Who Values Us?

Last week I was fascinated by the the juxtaposition of two highly unconnected news stories, which I found connected together in a wierd sort of way.

At the beginning of the week, we heard the word “junk” being used in relation to the nation of Portugal. Specifically, Moody’s Investors Services had slashed its evaluation of Portuguese Government Bonds to the value of “junk”, precipitating the country further into the economic crisis it’s been wading through.

Meanwhile, by the end of the week, way down in East Africa, the newest nation on earth, South Sudan, was celebrating it’s birth. And the foreign press either didn’t bother to report the joy and jubilation of the newly independent but insignificant little nation at all, or cynically commented on its slim chances of survival in the cut and thrust of the 21st century world.

What struck me about both these stories was the question of who it is who is entitled to pass judgment or evaluate a person or a people. Living here in Lisbon, even though not myself a Portuguese, I felt deep in my heart the emotive hurt that accompanied the use of the word “junk”. Okay, so that may be the economic reality of the moment, and it most certainly will result in a lowering of confidence of investors and a tough economic future, but is that the way to judge this nation, this people?

Similarly, those who missed the Independence Day celebrations of South Sudan missed a vision of a people with heads held high, celebrating with a joy that seems to come naturally from their spirits. The statistics may make depressing reading. Nine out of 10 people live below the poverty line; more than 10% do not make it past their fifth birthday. About three-quarters of adults are illiterate. The people of South Sudan are under few illusions about the challenges facing them, but they are justifiably optimistic. Their country, though ravaged by long years of war, is blessed with so much natural wealth.

And when you read the new National Anthem (apparently chose by a popular vote as a result of an “X factor” style competition) the South Sudanese would appear to place this optimism in God.

Oh God!

We praise and glorify you

For your grace upon Cush,

The land of great warriors

And origin of world's civilization.

Oh Cush!

Arise, shine, raise your flag with the guiding star

And sing songs of freedom with joy,

For peace, liberty and justice

Shall forever more reign.

So Lord bless South Sudan!

Makes me think about how wonderful it is that our own value as people rests in God and God alone. What is important above all is how He sees us and judges us, not how others might evaluate us, brush us aside or put us down. And he values us highly. As he spoke about His people so long ago in the Book of Deuteronomy. (7:7-9)

“It is not because you were more numerous than other peoples, that the LORD set His affection on you and chose you, for, indeed, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the LORD loved you and kept the oath he swore to your ancestors. Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who follow Him”