The LORD did not set his love upon you... 

because ye were more in number than any people... 

But because the LORD loved you. 

{Deuteronomy 7:7-8}

God loved Israel simply because he loved them. Nothing past or present is good in me that would be deserving of God's mercy, but He love me in spite of everything I have ever done and all my sin. He loved me so much that he sent his only Son to die for me- what an amazing love!