"the world was not worthy of them" - Hebrews 11:38a

That was the conclusion of the writer of the book of Hebrews after listing all of the persecution faced by the servants of God.  It raises an interesting point.  We know that this world remains very much in God's interest, he created it, he sent his Son to redeem humanity, and he intends to renew this world (Rev. 21:1) at the culmination of history.  Certainly, God has gone to a lot of trouble for this world despite the clear fact that the people who inhabit it have often proven themselves to be anything but God-like.  There have been times when optimism for our civilization has overshadowed the darkness lying underneath, but just as it does in Lord of the Flies the Beast within always rises up with another massacre in mockery.
Does this world deserve the saints who have bled and wept for it?  The writer of Hebrews is correct that it does not.  Just as we were in no way deserving of the blood that Jesus Christ poured out for us at Calvary, so too the mercy and love shown by those who follow him.  Then why does God commend it, encourage us to give more to this world?  For the same reason that God rescued Noah despite the utter evil of the world in his day, the same reason that God sent Jonah to Ninevah, the same reason that God saved a murderous Saul on the road to Damascus or John Newton after a life of slave running:  In Newton's own words, Amazing Grace.  Grace, undeserved mercy and love, is the basis for our relationship with God.  If not for God's willingness to stoop down and rescue humanity, the darkness that threatens our world each day would reign supreme.  You see, the world may not be worthy of them, but it still needs them desperately.