Jeremiah 27:6 “Now I will give your countries to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, who is my servant.” Today is September 11th. Looking back on the last 20 years, one can spot moments where it might have been hard to see God’s presence in the “War on Terror.” World leaders from all sides have played with countless lives as casually as a chess game. I’ve especially struggled to understand God’s plan in the recent US pullout in Afghanistan. I believe God loves the Taliban. I believe God wants relationship with Taliban leaders so they can experience his love. But when I hear about how they are hunting down pastors and selling their daughters into sexual slavery, I just have to suspend my belief for some time and ask “why God?” Today as I reflect on the last twenty years, I’m reminded of an article that I read a few weeks back. In response to a question of God’s sovereignty in the face of defeat, one Afghan evangelist said “Don’t forget that God called the most wicked king on earth, Nebudchadnezzar, ‘my servant’ in Jeremiah 27:6 and Jeremiah 43:10. God is most certainly calling the Taliban ‘my servant.’” Lord, I don’t know why you place suffering in my life sometimes. I don’t know why you let bad guys win sometimes. But I know that all creation bows to you. I know that in the long term you have a hope and a future in store. I cling to that today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.